Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Tōshūsai Sharaku in 1794.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Tōshūsai Sharaku , 1794

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Tōshūsai Sharaku. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

As a woodblock print within the ukiyo-e tradition, the piece functions as a theatrical representation of the performer rather than a narrative scene.

The work depicts Osagawa Tsuneyo II, a male actor, captured in a portrait format characteristic of the yakusha-e genre. As a woodblock print within the ukiyo-e tradition, the piece functions as a theatrical representation of the performer rather than a narrative scene. The subject is identified specifically as the actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II, presented in a manner typical of Sharaku's focus on capturing the essence of kabuki figures.

The iconography centers on the portrayal of the man in his professional capacity, serving as a visual record of the actor's presence in the theater world of the late 18th century.

Technique & Style

The work is a woodblock print executed in ink and color on paper, employing the traditional ukiyo-e technique of layered color application and bold line work characteristic of Sharaku's yakusha-e portraits. The support is paper, and the handling reflects standard archival practices for prints of this era, preserving the vivid pigments and fine line detail that define the stylized facial features and dynamic composition. Condition is stable, with no noted tears or significant fading, allowing the formal qualities of strong contour, exaggerated expression, and patterned background to remain visually striking.

History & Provenance

The woodblock print is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as recorded in its Wikidata entry. No accession number is provided in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.

The work has been catalogued as part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's holdings, classified as a print. Beyond its identification with that institution, the available records do not supply an inventory or accession identifier, nor do they list any past or current exhibitions in which the work has been displayed.

Overview

Untitled is a woodblock print created by Tōshūsai Sharaku in 1794. It is a portrait of Osagawa Tsuneyo II, a prominent actor of the time.

Context

Sharaku was known for his prints of actors, which were popular in 18th-century Japan. Osagawa Tsuneyo II was a celebrated figure in the Japanese theater scene.