Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Katsukawa Shunjō in 1780.

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 Shunjō , 1780

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunjō. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1780, this woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunjō portrays a kabuki performer onstage. The figure wears a black robe with vivid red and gold motifs, his face painted white, and his hands are lifted with fingers splayed like a fan, capturing a dramatic moment in the theater.

Subject & Meaning

The image represents a male kabuki actor, a central figure in Japan’s popular theatrical tradition. Kabuki roles were celebrated for their stylized gestures and elaborate makeup, and prints such as this served as visual tributes to the performers’ charisma and skill.

Technique & Style

Executed with ink and color on paper, the print displays the characteristic brisk, uneven lines of Shunjō’s approach. The artist employed rapid, rough strokes to convey motion rather than precise detail, while the bold red and gold patterns on the sleeves emphasize the theatrical costume.

History & Provenance

Produced as an affordable souvenir, the print was intended for fans to collect images of their favorite actors. Its circulation reflects the Edo‑period market for mass‑produced ukiyo‑e prints that documented contemporary popular culture.