Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shun'ei 勝川春英. It dates from 1787 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created in 1787 by the Edo‑period artist Katsukawa Shun'ei, this woodblock print measures a single sheet of inked paper with added colour.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1787 by the Edo‑period artist Katsukawa Shun'ei, this woodblock print measures a single sheet of inked paper with added colour. It is catalogued under the title Untitled and belongs to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The composition depicts an interior scene framed by a wooden lattice window, focusing on two figures in contrasting attire.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a kneeling figure in a yellow robe, fan in hand and sword at the side, opposite a standing figure clad in bright red and gold garments and a black‑and‑white hat, holding a scroll. The blurred facial features of the kneeling individual follow a convention in Japanese actor prints, shifting emphasis from personal identity to the overall atmosphere of the encounter.
Technique & Style
Executed as a traditional woodblock print, the image combines black ink outlines with applied pigments to render the vivid costumes and interior details. The lattice window is rendered with fine linear carving, while the use of colour blocks creates a flat yet decorative surface typical of late‑18th‑century ukiyo‑e aesthetics.
History & Provenance
The print was produced during the height of the Katsukawa school's activity, a period noted for its focus on theatrical subjects. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection through acquisition in the 20th century, where it remains part of the museum's Japanese prints holdings.
Artist & collection
