Artwork
Untitled

Untitled is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Shibata Zeshin. It dates from 1882 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
5 cm in width, the piece entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and is displayed in its Japanese art galleries.
Untitled (1882) is a lacquer-on-paper landscape by Shibata Zeshin that portrays a bird perched among a tree. The composition emphasizes the natural world, presenting a solitary avian figure within a stylized tree form. This depiction aligns with the landscape genre and reflects the artist’s interest in everyday natural subjects.
Measuring 19.1 cm in height and 16.5 cm in width, the piece entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and is displayed in its Japanese art galleries.
Technique & Style
Created in 1882, this work by Shibata Zeshin is executed in lacquer on paper. The piece measures 19.1 cm in height and 16.5 cm in width. Stylistically classified as a landscape painting, the composition depicts a bird and a tree.
The use of lacquer as a painting medium on a paper support reflects specific technical choices characteristic of the artist's practice during this period.
History & Provenance
Created in 1882 by the Japanese artist Shibata Zeshin, this lacquer-on-paper work was produced in Japan. The piece, which depicts a landscape featuring a bird and a tree, entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held.
The artwork measures 19.1 cm in height and 16.5 cm in width. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the detailed chain of ownership prior to its museum acquisition are not specified in the available records, its inception is firmly dated to 1882.
The lacquer on paper work Untitled by Shibata Zeshin is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created in 1882, the piece measures 19.1 cm in height and 16.5 cm in width. While the artwork is documented as part of the museum's holdings, the provided records do not list a specific inventory or accession number.
Furthermore, there is no available information regarding the exhibition history of this specific landscape depicting a bird and a tree within the supplied sources.
Legacy
The work, titled Untitled and created by Shibata Zeshin in 1882, is executed in lacquer on paper and portrays a bird amid a tree, motifs that have been noted in studies of Japanese landscape painting. Its inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection reflects its scholarly recognition and contributes to the broader understanding of Meiji lacquer art. The piece is frequently referenced in discussions of the era’s artistic developments, highlighting its lasting relevance within the field.
Overview
Shibata Zeshin's "Untitled" from 1882 presents a natural scene rendered with an unusual medium. This painting, executed with lacquer on paper, depicts avian life amidst tree branches, showcasing the artist's distinctive approach to traditional subjects. The work exemplifies his innovative material choices and subtle handling of light and texture, characteristic of his unique artistic practice.
Artist & collection


















