Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Hyakusen in 1744.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Baroque.

Untitled by Hyakusen (1744) · Meaning & Museum

About this work

A bare tree stands on a snowy hill, the ground white, the sky pale gray, the ink branches near-black against the soft color. Painted in 1744 by a Japanese artist who worked in both China and Japan, it uses thin, dry strokes to catch the cold quiet of winter: no people, no animals, just the tree and the snow.

Subject & Meaning

This hanging scroll by Sakaki Hyakusen belongs to the landscape genre and depicts snow and trees.

This hanging scroll by Sakaki Hyakusen belongs to the landscape genre and depicts snow and trees. The pairing of snow with arboreal forms is a classic East Asian pictorial theme, in which wintry scenery carries layered meanings: the snow-laden branches evoke the quiet austerity of the cold season, while the persistence of trees beneath the snow suggests resilience and endurance. The choice of ink and color on paper, executed in 1744, situates the work within the Japanese literati tradition that Hyakusen helped pioneer, where such restrained seasonal imagery was valued as a vehicle for personal expression and reflection on nature's cycles rather than for descriptive accuracy alone.

Technique & Style

The work is executed as a hanging scroll, a format typical of Edo-period Japanese painting, using ink and color on a paper support. Sakaki Hyakusen employed delicate brushwork to render trees amid falling snow, achieving subtle tonal gradation that emphasizes atmospheric depth. Stylistically, the composition balances minimal figuration with a lyrical treatment of natural elements, reflecting the landscape genre's emphasis on poetic expression.

History & Provenance

Created in 1744 by the Japanese artist Sakaki Hyakusen, this landscape painting was executed as a hanging scroll using ink and color on paper, and depicts a scene of snow and trees. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, catalogued within the museum's Paintings department. No specific accession number is listed in the available records, and the sources do not detail the circumstances of its commission, its chain of ownership prior to acquisition, or any past public exhibitions.

Overview

Untitled is a hanging scroll by Sakaki Hyakusen, created in 1744. Executed with ink and color on paper, this painting presents a stark winter landscape. The composition centers on a solitary, bare tree set against a snowy expanse, conveying a sense of quietude characteristic of the season.

Context

Sakaki Hyakusen, a Japanese painter active in the mid-18th century, developed a style influenced by his experiences working in both China and Japan. His artistic practice often drew upon diverse traditions, which is subtly reflected in his landscapes. This particular scroll, created in 1744, exemplifies his engagement with natural themes, rendered through a contemplative and understated aesthetic.

Autumn Festival on a Mountain, Okada Hankō

Artist & collection

Artist

Hyakusen

Sakaki Hyakusen, originally Shin'en (Japanese: 彭城百川; (11 December 1697, in Nagoya – 2 October 1752, in Kyōto) was a Japanese painter in the nanga style. His other art names included Hōshū (蓬洲), Senkan (僊観) and Hassendō (八仙堂).