Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink painting by the Romanticist artist Sakai Hōitsu. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The choice of a peony links the work to a tradition in which the flower symbolised prosperity and honor, though the artist’s specific intent is not documented.
The hanging scroll Untitled (1794) by Sakai Hōitsu presents a single peony (Paeonia) rendered in ink and polychrome on silk. As a still‑life, the composition isolates the flower, emphasizing its botanical detail and subtle coloration. The choice of a peony links the work to a tradition in which the flower symbolised prosperity and honor, though the artist’s specific intent is not documented.
Hōitsu’s depiction reflects his broader fascination with natural motifs and the decorative possibilities of the hanging‑scroll format, positioning the piece within the Edo‑period tradition of floriform painting.
Technique & Style
Untitled is executed as a hanging scroll on silk, employing ink and polychrome washes typical of Edo‑period screen and scroll painting. The work belongs to the still‑life genre and portrays a single peony (Paeonia), rendered with delicate brushwork that emphasizes the flower’s layered blossoms against a muted background. Created in 1794 in Japan, the piece measures 112.4 cm in height by 40.6 cm in width and entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection shortly thereafter.
History & Provenance
Created in 1794 by the Japanese artist Sakai Hōitsu, this hanging scroll depicts a peony rendered in ink and color on silk. The work was produced in Japan during the late eighteenth century. It currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which serves as its known location and holder.
The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is located as part of the institution's holdings of Japanese paintings. According to the Wikidata record, the work belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
No accession number is provided in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.
Overview
Sakai Hōitsu's Untitled is a hanging scroll from the early 19th century, featuring a single peony branch. Executed in ink and color on silk, this painting exemplifies the artist's refined approach to nature. It presents a quiet, intimate portrayal of a flower, diverging from the grander landscape themes common in Japanese art of its era.
Context
Created in the early 19th century, this painting stands apart from many contemporary Japanese scrolls, which frequently depicted elaborate landscapes or architectural scenes. Hōitsu's decision to focus on a single, isolated botanical element, without a defined sky or ground, demonstrates a deliberate departure. This choice highlights his interest in capturing the essence of natural forms through minimalist composition and ample negative space.
Artist & collection
