Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Samoje, ink, 1783
Untitled, by Samoje, ink, 1783

Untitled is an ink painting by the Korean Minhwa artist Samoje. It dates from 1783 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Accession no.
15.96.6

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created by Samoje in 1783, the composition utilizes ink and color on a hemp or ramie support to render these specific architectural and geological elements.

The work is a landscape painting that depicts a natural scene featuring a mountain and a pavilion. Created by Samoje in 1783, the composition utilizes ink and color on a hemp or ramie support to render these specific architectural and geological elements. As a landscape genre piece, the imagery focuses on the representation of the mountainous terrain and the structure situated within it.

The painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The visual narrative is defined by these depicted subjects rather than explicit symbolic allegories, presenting a scenic view characteristic of the period's landscape tradition.

Technique & Style

This landscape artwork is executed in ink and color on a hemp or ramie support, originally fashioned in a framed format typical of traditional hanging scrolls. Measured at 45.4 cm in height and 27.6 cm in width, the piece is catalogued in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection. Stylistically, the painting aligns with 18th‑century landscape conventions, emphasizing atmospheric depth and architectural detail within a mountainous scene featuring a pavilion.

History & Provenance

Created in 1783 by the artist Samoje, this ink and color landscape on hemp or ramie depicts a mountainous scene featuring a pavilion. The work measures 45.4 by 27.6 centimeters and entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently housed. The piece is firmly dated to the late eighteenth century and classified as a framed painting within the museum's holdings. Earlier provenance and commission details are not documented in available records.

Legacy

The painting Untitled (1783) by Samoje is recognized as a representative example of early landscape art, noted for its depiction of a mountain scene with a pavilion. Its inclusion in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art highlights its scholarly relevance and the museum's assessment of its historical significance. Classified as a landscape painting on hemp support, the work contributes to the understanding of Samoje's artistic output and informs ongoing research into 18th‑century East Asian visual culture.

Overview

This "Untitled" painting, rendered with ink and color on hemp or ramie, presents a serene mountain landscape. The composition features a towering, mist-shrouded peak, with a small wooden pavilion nestled partway up its slopes. Tiny human figures navigate a winding path below, inviting contemplation of the vastness of nature and the human presence within it.

Context

To appreciate the evolution of Korean landscape painting, this work can be examined in relation to later Joseon dynasty art. Comparing the depiction of architectural elements, such as pavilions, across different periods reveals shifts in artistic conventions and thematic emphasis within the genre, illustrating the changing aesthetic sensibilities over time.

Untitled
Untitled, Samoje

Artist & collection

Portrait of Samoje

Artist

Samoje

active late 18th century

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Samoje in late 18th century.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Korean Minhwa.