Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Shōtei Hokuju 昇亭北寿 in 1815.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Shōtei Hokuju 昇亭北寿 , 1815

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Shōtei Hokuju 昇亭北寿. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1815, this woodblock print by the Japanese artist Shōtei Hokuju (昇亭北寿) depicts a coastal scene rendered in ink and color on paper. The composition centers on two rocky islands emerging from dark blue waves, with a small boat positioned near the left island and a thatched hut on the shore to the right.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a quiet encounter between humanity and a rugged seascape: two figures stand by the hut, one holding an umbrella, the other kneeling beside a bundled object, suggesting daily activity or a moment of pause amid the surrounding natural forces. The stark cliffs and sparse trees reinforce a sense of isolation and the enduring presence of the landscape.

Technique & Style

Executed in the traditional ukiyo-e woodblock method, the work employs bold, flat areas of color and simplified forms to convey the power of the sea and the solidity of the rocks. The contrast between the dark, churning waves and the pale sky with fluffy clouds highlights the artist’s use of tonal variation to suggest depth and atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Attributed to Shōtei Hokuju, an early‑19th‑century Japanese printmaker, the piece is dated circa 1815, placing it within the Edo period’s flourishing print culture. While specific ownership records are not documented, the work is representative of the period’s interest in maritime subjects and everyday life.