Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Kubo Shunman, ink, 1796
Untitled, by Kubo Shunman, ink, 1796

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kubo Shunman. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Untitled, a woodblock print (surimono) by Kubo Shunman, dates to 1796 and is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. The piece features a composition of everyday objects rendered in ink and color on paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a black sword with a red and black wrapped handle resting on a folded cloth, alongside a dark box containing a round, wooden-framed mirror. Surrounding text in Japanese hints at a poetic or notational depth beneath the mundane arrangement of objects.

Technique & Style

Characterized by flat, bright colors and the absence of shading, the print employs simple shapes and bold outlines to achieve depth. This stylistic approach is typical of surimono woodblock prints.

History & Provenance

Created in 1796 by Kubo Shunman, the print's history prior to its acquisition by The Metropolitan Museum of Art is not detailed here.

Context

As a still life, the work aligns with a tradition where ordinary objects are used to convey narrative or symbolic meaning, though the specific interpretation here depends on the untranslated Japanese text.

Legacy

The legacy of this specific piece is not explicitly outlined in the provided information, though it contributes to the broader understanding of Kubo Shunman's oeuvre and 18th-century Japanese surimono prints.

Artist & collection