Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Kitagawa Utamaro, ink, 1800
Untitled, by Kitagawa Utamaro, ink, 1800

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This untitled woodblock print, circa 1800, by Kitagawa Utamaro, depicts a serene genre scene of two figures in the rain, executed in ink and color on paper, and is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures a private moment between two standing figures. A woman, prominently featured, wears a distinctive black kimono with white dots and a pink obi, alongside a partially obscured companion. The scene conveys quiet intimacy.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employs muted gray-brown backgrounds with expressive diagonal lines to evoke rain. The composition balances simplicity with detailed attire and hairstyles, characteristic of late 18th-century Japanese woodblock printing's attention to everyday life.

History & Provenance

Created around 1800, the print is attributed to Kitagawa Utamaro, a prominent figure in Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock printing. It is currently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Context

This work reflects the ukiyo-e tradition's focus on capturing moments of everyday Japanese life, particularly in the Edo period, often with an emphasis on the emotional and intimate aspects of common scenes.

Legacy

While specific lasting impacts of this untitled work are not broadly documented, it contributes to the broader legacy of Kitagawa Utamaro and ukiyo-e in influencing Western art movements and continuing to inspire with its serene, intimate depictions of life.

Artist & collection