Artwork
Untitled

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kikukawa Eizan. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This untitled woodblock print (surimono) by Kikugawa Eizan, dating to around 1815, is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. Executed in ink and color on paper, it presents a still life arrangement.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene tabletop composition featuring a black teapot on a stand and a nearby black tray holding a central golden object. The arrangement conveys a sense of calmness and tranquility through its muted color palette and simple, balanced layout.
Technique & Style
Eizan's attention to detail is evident in the delicate lines and precise shapes defining the objects. The soft, beige background complements the subtle, restrained use of colors, characteristic of the surimono technique.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1815 by Kikugawa Eizan, the print is now held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, though specific provenance details prior to its acquisition are not provided here.
Context
While the source mentions 'Romanticism' for stylistic context, this attribution seems inaccurate for a Japanese woodblock print of this period. Instead, it aligns more closely with traditional Japanese still life themes and the aesthetic of simplicity found in Japanese art.
Legacy
The legacy of this specific print is not extensively detailed in the provided information, though as a work by Kikugawa Eizan, it contributes to the broader appreciation of surimono prints and early 19th-century Japanese woodblock art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Kikukawa Eizan was a designer of ukiyo-e style Japanese woodblock prints. He first studied with his father, Eiji, a minor painter of the Kanō school, and subsequently with Suzuki Nanrei (1775–1844), of the Shijō…



















