Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Kurokawa Michita in 1820.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Kurokawa Michita , 1820

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kurokawa Michita. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1820 by the Japanese woodblock artist Kurokawa Michita, this surimono print measures a single sheet of paper inked and colored with traditional woodblock techniques. The work is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as an example of early nineteenth‑century Japanese printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a large fish captured in the act of leaping from water, its body twisted in mid‑air. Beneath it, a smaller fish rests motionless on a rocky surface, while stylized wave lines suggest the surrounding water. The open mouth of the leaping fish conveys a sense of sudden motion and possible struggle for breath.

Technique & Style

Executed with the surimono method, the artist employed fine, sharp lines to delineate the fish’s scales and the spray of water, creating a crisp sense of movement. Dark, thin strokes contrast with broader color areas, while the use of cross‑hatching builds texture in the fish’s body and the surrounding ripples.

History & Provenance

Kurokawa Michita, active in the early Edo period, produced this print for a private audience, as was typical of surimono works. The piece entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the twentieth century, though the exact path of ownership prior to that remains undocumented.