Untitled
1792
ink
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
1792
ink
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
Untitled is a 1792 ink by Ryūryūkyo Shinsai, a Romanticism work, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This print shows three people in a small, simple room. The person on the left is kneeling, holding a red lantern. The person in the middle, dressed in bright red robes, is bending over a low table, writing or painting. The person on the right, in blue and gold, is holding a branch with white flowers. There’s a small child sitting nearby, and a pair of scissors lies on the floor. The writing on the left side is Japanese poetry, adding a quiet moment of reflection to the scene. The bright colors and careful details suggest this was meant to be shared among a small group. Look up surimono next to learn more about this type of Japanese woodblock print.
