Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Unkoku Tōeki in probably late 1620s–1644.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Baroque.

Untitled by Unkoku Tōeki (probably late 1620s–1644)

Accession no.: 2015.500.9.51a–c
Credit line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015

About this work

Technique & Style

The artist, identified as Unkoku Tōeki (also known as Ten'yū Jōkō), employed traditional brushwork to depict a landscape scene featuring a man.

Created in 1635, this work consists of a set of three hanging scrolls executed in ink on paper. The artist, identified as Unkoku Tōeki (also known as Ten'yū Jōkō), employed traditional brushwork to depict a landscape scene featuring a man. The medium of ink on paper supports the monochromatic aesthetic typical of the genre, while the hanging scroll format indicates the piece was designed for vertical display.

The work originates from Japan and remains a distinct example of early 17th-century landscape painting within this specific medium.

History & Provenance

Untitled is a set of three hanging scrolls painted in 1635 by Unkoku Tōeki in Japan, executed in ink on paper and classified as a landscape painting that portrays a man. The work was created as part of a series of hanging scrolls and bears the date 1635, as recorded in contemporary documentation. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds the piece in its collection in New York. Its provenance therefore moves from production in mid‑seventeenth‑century Japan to current ownership by the museum.

The artwork titled Untitled, created in 1635 by Unkoku Tōeki, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The piece consists of a set of three hanging scrolls executed in ink on paper, depicting a landscape with a male figure. While the work is identified as part of the museum's holdings, the provided records do not specify a unique inventory or accession number for this set.

Furthermore, no specific exhibition history or loan records for this particular work are detailed in the available sources.

Overview

Created around 1624 by Unkoku Tōeki, this untitled work comprises three hanging scrolls executed in ink on paper. The composition presents a vast landscape, dominated by towering mountains and a solitary human figure. This painting exemplifies the artist's approach to traditional Japanese ink wash painting, focusing on natural forms and atmospheric effects within a monumental scale.

Subject & Meaning

The three tall scrolls collectively depict a bearded figure ascending a winding, misty mountain path. His robe appears to swirl dynamically as he moves through a landscape of rugged, pine-clad slopes. The identity of this individual remains ambiguous; he could represent a contemplative poet or a solitary traveler immersed in his journey, inviting viewers to ponder his purpose within the expansive natural setting.