Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink painting. It dates from 1683 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The work is executed as a hanging scroll using ink and color on silk, a traditional format and support in Japanese painting of the late seventeenth century.
The work is executed as a hanging scroll using ink and color on silk, a traditional format and support in Japanese painting of the late seventeenth century. The medium combines fluid ink washes with opaque mineral-based pigments to render avian forms, an eagle, swan, and duck, set against a muted, atmospheric background that emphasizes delicate feather detail and subtle tonal gradations. Handling shows careful brushwork, with fine lines defining plumage and broader washes establishing recession, while the silk support exhibits slight undulation consistent with historical mounting practices. No evidence of major losses or restorations is recorded in the available technical notes.
History & Provenance
The hanging scroll titled Untitled, created in 1683 by an anonymous Japanese artist, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, classified as a painting, depicts an eagle, a swan, and a duck rendered in ink and color on silk. While the museum location is confirmed, the provided sources do not specify a unique inventory or accession number for the piece.
Furthermore, the available documentation contains no record of specific exhibitions where this artwork has been displayed. The scroll measures 164 cm in height and 103.4 cm in width, consistent with its classification as a hanging scroll within the museum's holdings.
Context
The Untitled hanging scroll, dated 1683 and attributed to an anonymous Japanese painter, features avian subjects within the landscape genre of Edo-period painting. The work depicts a duck, eagle, and swan rendered in ink and color on silk, reflecting a tradition of bird imagery in Japanese art. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, it is accessible for scholarly study and illustrates the anonymous production of bird‑themed scrolls in 17th‑century Japan.
Overview
This untitled hanging scroll, rendered in ink and color on silk, depicts a serene aquatic scene. A duck rests on tranquil water, while an eagle descends from above, creating a moment of potential drama. In the distance, swans drift gracefully.
The artwork was likely created for a private residence in Japan, rather than for a public or religious institution.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the interaction between various waterfowl. A solitary duck occupies the foreground, seemingly unaware of the predatory eagle descending towards it. Further back, the elegant forms of swans contribute to the overall tranquility, their long necks forming distinctive curves. This arrangement suggests a narrative of nature's balance, encompassing both peace and the inherent struggle for survival.
Artist & collection
