Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunshō. It dates from 12 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This untitled woodblock print (nishiki-e) by Katsukawa Shunshō, dated to 1772, is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. Executed in ink and color on paper, it depicts a serene scene of an older man in a natural setting.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays an elderly, barefoot man dressed in a loose, patterned robe and a wide-brimmed hat, leaning on a staff. A woven basket slung over his shoulder contains an assortment of plants and flowers, suggesting a possible theme of harmony with nature or a contemplative journey.
Technique & Style
The artist achieved textured effects through the use of tiny, repeated strokes, akin to quick, parallel dashes, to render the fabric of the man's robe and hat. This technique imparts a sense of depth without relying on heavy shading, characteristic of the nishiki-e style's emphasis on delicate, multi-colored designs.
History & Provenance
Created in 1772 by Katsukawa Shunshō, a prominent figure in Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock printing, the work is now housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, though the specifics of its acquisition and previous ownership are not detailed here.
Context
Emerging from the 18th-century Japanese ukiyo-e tradition, this print reflects the period's interest in capturing everyday life and natural landscapes. Shunshō's work often focused on actors and beauties, making this depiction of a serene, older figure a notable example of thematic diversity within his oeuvre.
Legacy
As part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, this print contributes to the global appreciation of ukiyo-e and the study of Katsukawa Shunshō's contributions to the genre, though its individual impact or influence on later artists is not specifically highlighted in available information.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katsukawa Shunshō spent his life in Edo (now Tokyo), where the city’s teahouses and theaters buzzed with energy.
