Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Katsukawa Shunshō in 1775.

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 , 1775

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunshō. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1775, this triptych of woodblock prints by Katsukawa Shunshō consists of three adjoining sheets that together form a single composition. Each panel presents a figure—two men and a woman—converging their gaze on a tiny mouse positioned on the ground. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies the multi‑panel format popular in Edo‑period printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif of the mouse draws the attention of all three characters, suggesting a shared focus or narrative moment. The figures—dressed in contrasting white, black, and orange‑tinged robes—appear to be observing the creature with quiet curiosity, a scene that may allude to themes of humility, the everyday, or a subtle moral lesson common in ukiyo‑e storytelling.

Technique & Style

The precise carving and layered color application reflect the high level of craftsmanship characteristic of mid‑18th‑century Japanese woodblock production.

Executed in the nishiki-e method, the prints combine ink outlines with vibrant color pigments applied to paper. The artist employed a lattice fence as a recurring background element, providing visual continuity across the panels, while a solitary tree appears in the rightmost sheet. The precise carving and layered color application reflect the high level of craftsmanship characteristic of mid‑18th‑century Japanese woodblock production.

History & Provenance

Katsukawa Shunshō, a prominent figure of the Katsukawa school, produced this work during the latter part of his career. After circulating in the Japanese market, the triptych entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display as an example of Edo‑period print culture and the artist’s contribution to the development of narrative triptychs.