Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Katsushika Hokusen in 1813.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Katsushika Hokusen , 1813

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsushika Hokusen. It dates from 1813 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1813, this surimono woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusen depicts a modest domestic tableau. A small wooden box with an open lid reveals a vividly colored rooster and its chicks, while two ornamental jars with red and blue designs and tiny red bows rest atop the box. The composition is set against a largely unadorned background punctuated by scattered Japanese characters.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif—a rooster and its offspring—suggests themes of fertility, vigilance, and household prosperity in early‑19th‑century Japan. The decorative jars, likely intended for tea or medicinal herbs, reinforce the notion of daily domestic rituals. Together, the objects form a carefully balanced still‑life that celebrates ordinary items elevated to visual significance.

Technique & Style

Executed as a surimono, the print combines fine line carving with hand‑applied color, allowing for intricate detail and rich hues uncommon in mass‑produced ukiyo‑e. The bright yellow of the rooster, the contrasting reds, and the subtle shading of the wooden box demonstrate Hokusen’s skill in rendering texture and depth within the constraints of woodblock printing.

History & Provenance

The work entered the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as an example of early 19th‑century Japanese printmaking. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader effort to represent the diversity of ukiyo‑e practices, including the more specialized surimono genre produced for private commissions and poetry gatherings.