Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink painting by the Impressionist artist Kawabata Gyokushō. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1890 by the Japanese artist Kawabata Gyokushō, this small album leaf work presents a quiet observation of two squirrels perched on a stark branch. Rendered in monochrome ink on silk, the composition is minimalist, focusing solely on the animals without any surrounding landscape or decorative elements.
Subject & Meaning
The piece captures a moment of everyday life: one squirrel is caught in the act of nibbling a nut, while its companion rests curled in sleep. The juxtaposition of activity and repose suggests a subtle meditation on the rhythms of nature and the fleeting pauses within it.
Technique & Style
Executed with a limited number of brushstrokes, the ink is absorbed by the silk support, giving the fur a softened, almost velvety appearance. The absence of color and background emphasizes line and form, creating a sketch-like immediacy that belies the extended period required to complete the work.
History & Provenance
Although the work bears no title, it is catalogued as an album leaf—a format traditionally used for personal collections of poetry and art. The piece remained within private holdings before entering a museum collection, where it is displayed as part of a broader survey of Meiji‑era ink paintings.
Artist & collection
