Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Kitao Shigemasa in 1800.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Kitao Shigemasa , 1800

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

About this work

Overview

Created around the turn of the nineteenth century, this surimono woodblock print by Kitao Shigemasa depicts a quiet still life. A branch bearing pale‑yellow chrysanthemum‑type blossoms rests on a stone, its green foliage contrasting with the muted background. A woven basket and a rolled mat lie nearby, while faint ink characters and a tiny boat with a patterned sail appear in the distance.

Subject & Meaning

The central floral motif consists of daisi, a chrysanthemum variety traditionally associated with autumn in Japanese visual culture. By placing the blossoms on a rock and surrounding them with everyday objects, the composition evokes a moment of seasonal contemplation, inviting viewers to reflect on the transience of nature and the modest beauty of ordinary life.

Technique & Style

Executed as a surimono, the work combines finely cut woodblocks with hand‑applied ink and color on paper. Shigemasa employs a restrained palette of soft yellows, greens, and earth tones, while delicate line work defines the leaves, basket weave, and the subtle texture of the mat. The overall effect is one of understated elegance and calm.

History & Provenance

The print dates to approximately 1800, a period when surimono were often commissioned for private gatherings and poetry societies. It entered the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as part of the museum’s holdings of Edo‑period Japanese prints, providing scholars and visitors access to this example of early nineteenth‑century woodblock artistry.