Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Ichirakutei Eisui in 1797.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Ichirakutei Eisui , 1797

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Ichirakutei Eisui. It dates from 1797 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1797, this woodblock print by Ichirakutei Eisui is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. Executed with ink and color on paper, the work presents a quiet domestic scene rendered in the delicate palette and line work typical of late‑eighteenth‑century Japanese prints.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows a seated woman in a black kimono with white and pink motifs, her hair arranged in an updo and accented by a yellow ribbon, while a standing man in a red‑green kimono holds a small cup on a black tray. The pairing suggests a moment of courteous interaction, possibly a tea‑serving ritual, reflecting social customs of the period.

Technique & Style

Eisui employed traditional ukiyo‑e woodblock methods, carving separate blocks for each color and printing them in succession onto a light‑beige paper background. The fine line work defines the garments’ patterns and the figures’ hairstyles, while the restrained color scheme emphasizes the elegance of the attire rather than dramatic contrast.

History & Provenance

The print, attributed to Ichirakutei Eisui—a lesser‑known practitioner of the Edo‑period print tradition—entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early twentieth century. Its dating to the late 1790s places it within the flourishing phase of ukiyo‑e production, when portraiture of everyday life was in high demand.