Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Katsukawa Shunchō in 1789.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Katsukawa Shunchō , 1789

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunchō. It dates from 1789 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created around 1789, this woodblock print forms the middle panel of a three‑part series.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1789, this woodblock print forms the middle panel of a three‑part series. Executed in ink and color on paper, it depicts a tranquil garden scene populated by a small group of figures. The work is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a woman in a checkered robe leaning over a low wall while holding a fan, accompanied by a man in loose robes also with a fan. Two children kneel nearby—one in a green coat, the other in a pink dress—against a backdrop of blossoming trees and a distant path populated by diminutive travelers. The arrangement suggests a moment of quiet leisure within an outdoor setting.

Technique & Style

Bold, defining outlines separate each figure and element of foliage, while vivid pigments give the scene its lively yet restrained atmosphere. The use of flat color areas and clear delineation is characteristic of late‑eighteenth‑century ukiyo‑e woodblock practices, emphasizing both decorative appeal and narrative clarity.

History & Provenance

Attributed to the Edo‑period artist Katsukawa Shunchō, the print belongs to a triptych whose central sheet has survived as an individual work. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, though specific details of its earlier ownership remain undocumented.

Context

Katsukawa Shunchō was active in the late 1700s, producing genre scenes that captured everyday life with a refined sense of composition. This piece reflects the period’s interest in depicting domestic and garden environments, aligning with broader trends in ukiyo‑e that favored intimate, observational subjects.

Artist & collection

Artist

Katsukawa Shunchō

Katsukawa Shunchō lived in Edo (now Tokyo) during the late 1700s, a time when floating-world prints—colorful scenes of theater, courtesans, and everyday life—were all the rage.