Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Chôbunsai Eishi in 1790.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Chôbunsai Eishi , 1790

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Chôbunsai Eishi. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1790, this untitled triptych consists of three woodblock prints executed in ink and color on paper. It belongs to the ukiyo-e genre, which depicted everyday life and leisure in Edo-period Japan. The composition presents an outdoor gathering where elegantly dressed figures interact amid sparse foliage and a lightly clouded sky, offering a glimpse into contemporary social customs.

Subject & Meaning

The scene portrays a small group of well‑attired individuals engaged in various activities: a woman fans herself, a man plays a stringed instrument, and others converse or observe. The arrangement suggests a leisurely encounter, perhaps a seasonal outing or a tea‑house interlude, reflecting the period’s interest in portraying refined yet informal moments among the urban class.

Technique & Style

Executed with the traditional woodblock method, the artist employed fine ink lines and layered pigments to render textures on garments and foliage.

Executed with the traditional woodblock method, the artist employed fine ink lines and layered pigments to render textures on garments and foliage. Cross‑hatching creates subtle shadows, while the use of color highlights the silk fabrics and delicate blossoms. The figures are rendered with the tall, slender proportions characteristic of the artist’s bijin‑ga portraits, emphasizing elegance over realism.

History & Provenance

The prints were produced by Chōbunsai Eishi, a former samurai who abandoned his stipend to pursue a career in the visual arts. After training with Kano Eisen’in Michinobu, Eishi turned to ukiyo-e printmaking, gaining recognition for his depictions of beautiful women. The triptych entered the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of the museum’s Japanese prints holdings.

Artist & collection

Artist

Chôbunsai Eishi

Chōbunsai Eishi (鳥文斎栄之; 1756–1829) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist. His last name was Hosoda (細田). His first name was Tokitomi (時富). His common name was Taminosuke (民之丞) and later Yasaburo (弥三郎). Pupil of Kano Eisen'in…