Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Isoda Koryūsai. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1770 by the Edo‑period artist Isoda Koryūsai, this woodblock print measures a modest size and is executed in ink and color on paper. The work is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of late‑18th‑century Japanese printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents two women dressed in conventional Japanese attire, their dark hair styled in an updo. The figure in the rear holds a fan, while the front figure rests a hand lightly on the other's shoulder, suggesting a moment of intimacy or shared activity. The simple patterned robes and subdued gestures convey a quiet domestic scene rather than a narrative episode.
Technique & Style
Koryūsai employed traditional woodblock methods, applying ink and pigments to carved blocks to achieve flat areas of color. Subtle shading is introduced through cross‑hatching and fine line work, especially in the background where faint vertical strokes suggest a curtain or screen. The overall effect balances decorative flatness with modest three‑dimensional modeling.
History & Provenance
The print has remained in private and institutional hands since its creation, eventually entering the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. Its provenance reflects the broader interest of Western collectors in ukiyo‑e during the early 20th century, when many Japanese prints were acquired for museum holdings.
Artist & collection
