Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Wang Li Mu. It dates from 1749 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The work is an album leaf painted in ink and color on silk, measuring 35.2 by 30.5 cm. It is classified as a painting and as a genre scene, depicting a man seated at a table rendered with ink line and subtle color washes. It is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, recorded under accession number 15.97.1.
History & Provenance
Created in 1749 by the artist Wang Li Mu, this album leaf depicts a genre scene of a man at a table, executed in ink and color on silk and measuring 35.2 by 30.5 cm. It is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, catalogued under accession number 15.97.1. No details of its commission or ownership prior to the museum, and no exhibition history, are recorded in the available sources.
Overview
This "Untitled" album leaf, created by Wang Li Mu in 1749, is an ink and color painting on silk. It presents a quiet genre scene, characteristic of 18th-century Korean art. The work captures a solitary figure engaged in scholarly pursuits, offering a glimpse into the intellectual life of the period.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a man seated at a modest wooden table, poised with a brush over a sheet of paper, suggesting a moment of contemplation or creation. Behind him, shelves filled with books and scrolls reinforce the setting as a scholar's study. The overall atmosphere conveys a sense of stillness and focused thought, reflecting the esteemed role of intellectual pursuits in Korean society.
Context
Created in 18th-century Korea, this painting belongs to a prevalent artistic tradition of depicting scholars in their private studies. Such scenes celebrated the virtues of learning, introspection, and refined cultural life, which were highly valued during the Joseon Dynasty. Artists frequently explored this theme, offering idealized portrayals of intellectual engagement and personal cultivation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Wang Li Mu painted delicate album leaves on silk in the 18th century, using ink and color to capture small, quiet moments.
