Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by the Baroque artist Nishimura Shigenaga. It dates from 1726 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1726, this woodblock print by Nishimura Shigenaga presents a genre scene typical of early Edo‑period visual culture. Executed with ink and color on paper, the composition centers on a solitary figure dressed in a yellow robe with a black‑and‑white patterned border, set against a muted light‑brown background. The work is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is a man whose hair is tied back and who wears a red headband and a black belt. In his right hand he holds a long, curved sword, while his left hand grips a fan. The robe’s floral motif—white blossoms with red centers—suggests a decorative rather than narrative focus, characteristic of genre prints that capture everyday or theatrical moments.
Technique & Style
The contrast between the flat color fields and the delicate floral pattern reflects the artist’s skill in balancing bold design with fine decorative detail.
Shigenaga employed traditional ukiyo‑e woodblock methods, carving separate blocks for line work and each color. The ink outlines define the figure’s posture, while the applied pigments render the vivid yellow of the robe and the subtle brown of the background. The contrast between the flat color fields and the delicate floral pattern reflects the artist’s skill in balancing bold design with fine decorative detail.
History & Provenance
The print has remained in the public domain since its production in the early 18th century, eventually entering the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its attribution to Nishimura Shigenaga, a prolific Edo‑period printmaker, is confirmed by stylistic analysis and documented catalogues of his output.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nishimura Shigenaga spent his life in Edo, a city now called Tokyo, where he carved and printed pictures for a living.
