Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Utagawa Hiroshige in 1854.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Untitled

Utagawa Hiroshige , 1854

Untitled is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Hiroshige. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Accession no.: JP2526
Credit line: The Howard Mansfield Collection, Purchase, Rogers Fund, 1936

About this work

Overview

This untitled woodblock print from 1854, created by Utagawa Hiroshige, showcases a vivid scene of a rooster perched on a fence, set against a backdrop of blooming flowers and foliage, executed in ink and color on paper.

Subject & Meaning

Departing from traditional ukiyo-e themes of courtesans and actors, Hiroshige focuses on a naturalistic motif: a brightly colored rooster on a fence, accompanied by pink flowers and blue-green foliage, emphasizing his shift towards landscape and natural subjects.

Technique & Style

Utilizing woodblock printing techniques, Hiroshige achieves a striking contrast between the rooster's bold, multicolored plumage (yellow, red, blue-green) and the simpler, more subdued elements of the fence and surrounding vegetation.

History & Provenance

Created in 1854 by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), a pivotal figure in the late ukiyo-e tradition, the print is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Context

This work reflects Hiroshige's innovative divergence from typical ukiyo-e subjects, aligning with his renowned landscape series while incorporating elements of natural beauty in a more intimate setting.

Legacy

As one of Hiroshige's later works, it contributes to his legacy as a master who expanded ukiyo-e's thematic boundaries, influencing subsequent artistic movements with his emphasis on natural landscapes and motifs.

Artist & collection

Artist

Utagawa Hiroshige

Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重) or Andō Hiroshige (安藤広重), born Andō Tokutarō (安藤徳太郎; 1797 – 12 October 1858), was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist, considered the last great master of that tradition.