Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Yashima Gakutei 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

Yashima Gakutei , 1825

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

Accession no.: JP1107
Credit line: Rogers Fund, 1919

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1825, this surimono woodblock print by Yashima Gakutei combines ink and color on paper. Gakutei, active in the late Edo period, was a disciple of Totoya Hokkei and the renowned Hokusai, and is noted for his work in the specialized surimono format, which often paired imagery with poetic text.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents a figure dressed in a richly patterned robe of orange, white and blue, standing beside a low table that holds a dark object. A green dragon coils around the man, its head near his shoulder, while the figure gazes to the left, his facial hair and topknot suggesting a scholarly or poetic persona.

Technique & Style

Executed as a surimono, the print employs the meticulous carving and multi‑color registration typical of Edo‑period woodblock production. Gakutei’s handling of line and color renders intricate textile designs and the scaled texture of the dragon, while the light brown background provides a subtle contrast that emphasizes the central figures.

History & Provenance

Gakutei, also a kyōka poet, produced this work for a private poetry society, a common practice for surimono commissions. The print reflects the collaborative culture of such societies, where poets and artists jointly created pieces for special occasions, and it remains an example of the artist’s contribution to this niche yet influential genre.

Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Shingen in “A String of Prayer Beads Shaken at a Ribbon of Waterfall”, Katsukawa Shunshō

Artist & collection

Artist

Yashima Gakutei

Yashima Gakutei (Japanese: 八島岳亭; c. 1786 – 1868) was a Japanese artist and poet who was a pupil of both Totoya Hokkei and Hokusai. Gakutei is best known for his kyōka poetry and surimono works.