Artwork
Untitled

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
- Credit line
- Rogers Fund, 1915
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.
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