Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by the Baroque artist Ishikawa Toyonobu. It dates from 1748 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1748, this woodblock print by Ishikawa Toyonobu depicts a solitary woman positioned within an interior space that opens onto a garden view. The composition centers on her elegant posture, a fan in one hand and a small bundle in the other, while a tall, decorative hat crowns her head. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The figure appears to be a genteel lady, suggested by her flowing robe adorned with swirling motifs and floral designs. Her poised stance, fan, and bundled object hint at a moment of private contemplation or a ritual of daily life, reflecting the Edo‑period interest in portraying refined domestic scenes.
Technique & Style
Toyonobu employs the characteristic ukiyo‑e approach of strong, clean outlines and flat, unmodulated color fields. The woodblock process allows for precise patterning on the garment and the subtle gradations of the garden beyond the window, illustrating the period’s preference for stylized representation over realistic depth.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in the mid‑18th century, a prolific era for Japanese woodblock publishing. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, where it has been catalogued as an example of Toyonobu’s work in the genre of everyday life scenes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ishikawa Toyonobu spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he carved and printed the everyday scenes of city life.
