Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink painting. It dates from 1649 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 47.56
- Credit line
- Gift of Mrs. Morris Manges, in memory of her husband, Dr. Morris Manges, 1947
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting's formal dimensions measure roughly 20 × 20 cm and it was created in Japan before entering the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The work, titled Untitled and dated 1649, is a landscape painting by the Tosa School executed in ink and color on silk. It portrays a fence alongside a man and a woman, a composition that aligns with the genre's emphasis on everyday scenes within a natural setting. The painting's formal dimensions measure roughly 20 × 20 cm and it was created in Japan before entering the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The depiction of a fence with figures suggests a narrative moment rather than an explicit symbolic program, reflecting the observational style characteristic of Edo-period Japanese art.
Technique & Style
This matted painting on silk uses ink and subtle color washes. Its support is a rectangular silk panel measuring roughly 20.3 cm by 20.3 cm, originally displayed in a matted frame. The composition belongs to the landscape genre and portrays a simple scene of a fence with a man and a woman, rendered in a restrained, linear style characteristic of Edo-period Japanese painting. The piece was created in Japan and now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
The artwork, attributed to the Tosa School, was created in Japan in 1649. Executed as a matted painting using ink and color on silk, the piece measures 20.3 centimeters in both height and width. The work depicts a landscape scene featuring a fence, a man, and a woman.
It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. No specific details regarding the original commission, the initial owner, or the subsequent chain of custody prior to its arrival at the museum are available. No exhibition history is documented in the sources consulted.
Overview
This "Untitled" painting, created by the Tosa School in 1649, is a matted work rendered in ink and color on silk. It presents a landscape scene, notable for its central depiction of a bamboo fence. The artwork captures a specific, understated moment, characteristic of the school's aesthetic focus on subtle narratives within natural settings.
Context
The Tosa School, active during this period, frequently explored themes of daily life and natural environments, often highlighting moments of quiet observation. Their artistic tradition favored narrative elements within landscapes, even when the events depicted were modest. This approach allowed for an appreciation of the intricate beauty found in common subjects, elevating them within the painting's composition.
Artist & collection
