Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink painting by the Romanticist artist Torii Kiyonaga. It dates from 1807 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 36.100.46
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Created in 1807 by Torii Kiyonaga, the hanging scroll combines ink and color on silk and belongs to the broader tradition of Japanese paintings.
The work is a genre scene that portrays a woman standing beside a river, a subject identified in the documentation as both a river and a woman. Created in 1807 by Torii Kiyonaga, the hanging scroll combines ink and color on silk and belongs to the broader tradition of Japanese paintings. Its composition reflects everyday life, emphasizing the figure within a natural waterway setting. The piece is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
The work is executed as a hanging scroll using ink and polychrome pigments on silk. The scroll format functions as the support, allowing the piece to be displayed vertically and unrolled for viewing. Torii Kiyonaga’s composition depicts a river scene with a woman, rendered in a style characteristic of Edo‑period genre painting, emphasizing line and flat color.
The artwork originates from Japan and is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is preserved as a painted scroll.
History & Provenance
The hanging scroll titled Untitled was created by the Japanese artist Torii Kiyonaga in 1807. Executed in ink and color on silk, the work depicts a genre scene featuring a woman near a river. It originated in Japan and is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The artwork's inception is recorded as January 1, 1807.
Overview
This untitled hanging scroll, created by Torii Kiyonaga in 1807, captures a tranquil moment along a river. The composition features two women standing on the bank as dusk settles, their forms and reflections subtly rendered in the water. Executed with ink and color on silk, the painting exemplifies Kiyonaga's focus on intimate, everyday scenes rather than grand historical or mythological narratives.
Context
As a prominent ukiyo-e artist, Torii Kiyonaga was renowned for his elegant portrayals of contemporary life. Unlike many of his contemporaries who depicted actors, courtesans, or historical narratives, Kiyonaga often focused on the beauty and quiet dignity of ordinary individuals engaged in daily activities. This untitled work, with its unassuming subject matter, reflects his characteristic approach to capturing the subtle charm of the world around him.
Artist & collection
