Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Katsukawa Shunshō in 1779.

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 , 1779

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunshō. It dates from 1779 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1779 by the Edo‑period artist Katsukawa Shunshō, this nishiki‑e woodblock print depicts a solitary female figure. Executed in ink and color on paper, the work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies the refined portraiture typical of late‑18th‑century Japanese prints.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a woman dressed in a long, flowing kimono whose sleeve bears an intricate floral motif. Her hair is neatly arranged beneath a dark hat, and she holds a fan, suggesting a moment of poised leisure. The plain background isolates the figure, emphasizing her graceful posture and the subtle elegance of her attire.

Technique & Style

Shunshō employs clean, decisive line work and flat areas of color characteristic of nishiki‑e. The floral pattern on the sleeve achieves a sense of volume through careful line variation, while the overall flatness of the background creates spatial depth without perspective. The print demonstrates the artist’s skill in balancing decorative detail with compositional restraint.

History & Provenance

The print was produced in the late 1770s, a prolific period for the Katsukawa school, which specialized in actor and bijin-ga imagery. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, where it remains catalogued as an untitled example of Shunshō’s portraiture.