Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Totoya Hokkei in 1825.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Totoya Hokkei , 1825

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Totoya Hokkei. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The figure’s neatly arranged hair, dark collar, and the plain background emphasize the contrast between the bright garment and the subtle accessories.

Created around 1825, this surimono woodblock print by Totoya Hokkei depicts a solitary woman seated cross‑legged in vivid orange robes. Rendered with ink and color on paper, the composition is anchored by a round, tasselled mirror suspended behind her. The figure’s neatly arranged hair, dark collar, and the plain background emphasize the contrast between the bright garment and the subtle accessories.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure appears engaged in a private moment, holding a small fan while gazing at the mirror—a tool traditionally used for checking hair or makeup. The mirror’s presence suggests themes of self‑presentation and contemplation, common motifs in Edo‑period genre scenes that explore everyday rituals of women’s daily life.

Technique & Style

Hokkei employs delicate line work, using cross‑hatching to model the folds of the orange robes and to suggest shadow on the fabric. Fine ink strokes delineate texture in the hair and the tasselled chain, while selective color application highlights the garment’s brilliance against the otherwise unadorned background, characteristic of surimono’s refined aesthetic.

History & Provenance

The print is part of the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, acquired as an example of early nineteenth‑century Japanese woodblock production. Its attribution to Hokkei, a prominent disciple of Hokusai, situates it within the flourishing ukiyo‑e print culture that catered to private patrons and poetry circles during the late Edo period.