Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by the Baroque artist Shibata Zeshin. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- JP2187
- Credit line
- H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
About this work
Overview
The work demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship characteristic of the medium, employing hand-carved blocks to achieve soft yet luminous coloration.
Created in 1800 by the Japanese artist Reisai, this untitled surimono is a woodblock print executed in ink and color on paper. The composition features a still life arrangement where a stack of books leans against a folded paper screen. The top volume is depicted open, with its pages rendered to suggest the reflection of light.
Surimono were distinct from commercial ukiyo-e prints; they were produced in limited quantities for private distribution, often serving as gifts for poetry clubs or special occasions. Reisai, known for his expertise in calligraphy and print design, utilized the surimono format to showcase refined artistic techniques. The work demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship characteristic of the medium, employing hand-carved blocks to achieve soft yet luminous coloration.
This piece reflects the Edo period's appreciation for literary culture and the intimate exchange of art among connoisseurs, distinguishing it from the mass-produced theatrical or landscape prints of the era.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on books as objects of knowledge and leisure, emphasizing their physical presence through the tilted stack and the play of light on the opened pages. The intimate setting suggests a private, contemplative moment, inviting viewers to consider the value of reading and the tactile experience of handling texts.
Technique & Style
Reisai executed the image by hand‑carving each line onto separate woodblocks, then printing them sequentially, a process typical of surimono prints intended for exclusive audiences. The palette employs soft yet vivid hues that seem to glow, while delicate shading conveys the subtle gleam of light on paper surfaces.
History & Provenance
Produced for small, private gatherings, this print belongs to the tradition of limited‑edition surimono that were exchanged as gifts among connoisseurs. Its rarity reflects the specialized nature of the commissions, and the piece has remained within collections that value such intimate, artist‑driven works.
Artist & collection
