Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Nishikawa Sukenobu in 18th century.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Baroque.

Untitled by Nishikawa Sukenobu (18th century)

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created in 1725 by Nishikawa Sukenobu, this hanging scroll presents a genre scene featuring a woman alongside a musical instrument.

Created in 1725 by Nishikawa Sukenobu, this hanging scroll presents a genre scene featuring a woman alongside a musical instrument. The composition focuses on these two primary elements, depicting the female figure in association with the object within an interior setting typical of Japanese painting from this period. While the specific identity of the woman or the precise type of instrument is not detailed in the available records, the work functions as a representation of daily life or leisure activities.

The imagery aligns with the artist's broader output of illustrating contemporary customs and figures, emphasizing the interaction between the subject and the cultural artifact she accompanies.

Technique & Style

The work is executed as a hanging scroll in ink and color on paper, a traditional East Asian format that allows for vertical mounting and display. According to the cataloguing, the medium is classified simply as ink and color on paper, with no additional materials such as silk or gold leaf noted. The subject matter, identified as a genre scene depicting a woman and a musical instrument, is rendered in a manner consistent with Nishikawa Sukenobu's ukiyo-e and genre painting practice of the early eighteenth century. No specific condition report or handling history is recorded in the available sources.

History & Provenance

Untitled is a hanging scroll painted by Nishikawa Sukenobu in 1725 using ink and color on paper. The work portrays a musical instrument alongside a woman and belongs to the genre scene classification. It was created in Japan and entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display.

The painting’s provenance is limited to its acquisition by the museum, with no further documented ownership changes recorded.

The painting is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its accession number is 2015.449.1.

It was included in the exhibition “Celebrating the Arts of Japan: Japanese Decorative Arts of the Edo and Meiji Periods,” held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from June 26, 2019, to June 27, 2021.

Overview

Nishikawa Sukenobu's Untitled, created in 1725, is a hanging scroll rendered with ink and color on paper. This painting captures a genre scene, a common subject for the artist, depicting a solitary woman engaged in a musical performance. The work reflects the artist's characteristic focus on everyday life, particularly the activities of women, presented with a refined and understated aesthetic.

Context

Nishikawa Sukenobu was active in Kyoto, a cultural center where affluent urban dwellers highly valued depictions of daily life. His genre scenes, particularly those featuring women, resonated with this audience. The creation of works like Untitled catered to a taste for elegant and relatable imagery, offering glimpses into domestic and leisure activities that were popular among the city's wealthy residents.