Artwork
Untitled

Untitled is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Utagawa Toyokuni I. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
These elements function as the iconography of the piece, presenting a figure within a domestic or ceremonial setting typical of Edo-period portraiture.
Untitled (1795) by Utagawa Toyokuni I is a hanging scroll painted in ink and color on silk. The composition shows a lantern alongside a woman, which constitute the primary subject of the work. These elements function as the iconography of the piece, presenting a figure within a domestic or ceremonial setting typical of Edo-period portraiture.
The painting's meaning is linked to the depicted lantern and woman, though the sources do not elaborate on deeper symbolic interpretation. The work is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
Created in 1795, this work by Utagawa Toyokuni I is executed as a hanging scroll utilizing ink and color applied to a silk support. The piece functions as a portrait, depicting a woman and a lantern within its composition. Measuring 88.3 cm in height and 26.7 cm in width, the artwork originates from Japan and is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
Created in 1795 by the Japanese artist Utagawa Toyokuni I, this hanging scroll depicts a woman and a lantern. The work was executed in ink and color on silk within Japan. It currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which lists its dimensions as 88.3 cm in height and 26.7 cm in width.
No further details regarding specific commissions, previous owners, or the circumstances of its acquisition are provided in the available records.
The painting Untitled by Utagawa Toyokuni I is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, created in 1795, is classified as a hanging scroll executed in ink and color on silk. It depicts a woman and a lantern.
The museum's records identify the piece as part of its holdings of Japanese paintings, with dimensions recorded as 88.3 cm in height and 26.7 cm in width. No specific accession number or exhibition history is provided in the available sources.
Overview
Untitled, a painting by Shikitei Sanba from approximately 1795, is rendered in ink and color on silk as a hanging scroll. This work portrays a solitary woman holding a paper lantern under the soft light of a full moon. The composition suggests a quiet, intimate moment, characteristic of artworks intended for private contemplation rather than public exhibition.
Context
This hanging scroll was conceived for private viewing within personal spaces, rather than for public exhibition, which influenced its intimate scale and contemplative mood. Its depiction of a night scene, featuring a lone figure and a light source, shares thematic interests with ukiyo-e prints, where artists frequently explored nocturnal settings and their atmospheric qualities.
Artist & collection
Artist
Toyokuni was a born showman who made sure the energy of Edo’s kabuki stage never faded on paper.

















