Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Katsukawa Shunshō in 1773.

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 Shunshō , 1773

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunshō. It dates from 1773 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1773 by the Edo‑period artist Katsukawa Shunshō, this diptych consists of two woodblock prints executed in ink and color on paper. The pair is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies the vibrant visual language of late‑18th‑century Japanese printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The left figure displays an exaggerated, almost comical expression and clutches a fan, while the right figure leans on a staff, gazing downward.

The two figures are depicted in elaborate, multicolored garments with exposed feet, a common convention in theatrical portraiture. The left figure displays an exaggerated, almost comical expression and clutches a fan, while the right figure leans on a staff, gazing downward. Autumnal leaves drift above them, reinforcing a seasonal setting that may allude to a specific stage role or narrative moment.

Technique & Style

Executed as nishiki-e, the prints employ bold outlines and a saturated palette that emphasize the costumes’ patterns and red accents. The composition balances dynamic poses with flat areas of colour, a hallmark of ukiyo‑e theater prints, allowing the figures to appear both stylized and expressive within the limited space of each sheet.

History & Provenance

The work was produced in the early 1770s, a prolific period for Shunshō, who was known for his actor portraits. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, where it remains displayed as a representative example of Edo‑period theatrical imagery.