Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Kubo Shunman in 1813.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Kubo Shunman , 1813

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kubo Shunman. It dates from 1813 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1813 by the Edo‑period artist Kubo Shunman, this surimono woodblock print measures a modest size and is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. Executed with ink and color on paper, the image captures a dynamic scene that suggests motion beyond the picture plane, characteristic of the lively compositions found in private prints of the time.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a woman astride a black horse, her flowing robe patterned with circles, while she clutches a scroll. A second woman in a red garment stands beside the animal, holding a branch laden with red blossoms. The juxtaposition of the scroll and the floral branch may allude to literary and seasonal themes common in Edo visual culture.

Technique & Style

As a surimono, the print was produced for a limited, often poetic audience, allowing for intricate carving and the application of multiple pigments. Shunman’s line work combines delicate outlines with bold, sweeping strokes that convey the horse’s movement, while the subtle background washes suggest distant hills without detracting from the foreground figures.

History & Provenance

The print entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the early twentieth century, reflecting the museum’s effort to represent Japanese woodblock printing. Its survival in good condition provides insight into the private print market of early nineteenth‑century Japan, where such works were commissioned for special occasions and literary gatherings.