Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitao Shigemasa. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1764, this woodblock print by the Edo‑period artist Kitao Shigemasa is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. Executed with ink and color on paper, the work is untitled, allowing viewers to focus on its visual narrative rather than a prescribed theme.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a woman dressed in a flowing kimono adorned with vivid floral motifs. She holds a fan in one hand and a scroll in the other, suggesting a connection to literary or poetic pursuits. A stark branch rises behind her, while clouds drift above, adding a subtle atmospheric backdrop.
Technique & Style
Shigemasa employs delicate line work and a restrained palette, balancing soft hues with precise outlines to convey the figure’s graceful posture. The use of woodblock printing allows for fine detail in the fabric’s pattern and the ethereal quality of the surrounding clouds, typical of mid‑eighteenth‑century Japanese prints.
History & Provenance
The print has been documented as part of the Met’s holdings since the early 20th century, reflecting the museum’s long‑standing interest in Japanese ukiyo‑e. Its attribution to Shigemasa, a prolific creator of genre scenes, situates the piece within the broader circulation of Edo‑era visual culture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Kitao Shigemasa (北尾 重政; 1739 – 8 March 1820) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist from Edo.
