Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Ogawa Haritsu. It dates from 1740 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Ogawa Haritsu painted this in 1740, using thin lines and soft colors to make the silk glow.
A woman in a long robe stands under a tree, holding a fan. Her face is calm, almost hidden by her hair.
Ogawa Haritsu painted this in 1740, using thin lines and soft colors to make the silk glow. The tree’s branches curve like calligraphy, blending nature with the woman’s quiet pose. No one knows who she is—maybe a poet or a noblewoman from a story.
Look up *cross-hatching* to see how artists build shadows with tiny crisscrossed lines.
Overview
Created in 1740 by the Japanese painter Ogawa Haritsu, this hanging scroll presents an unnamed female figure rendered in ink and color on silk. The composition balances a solitary woman in a flowing robe with a stylized tree, the whole scene unfolding within the delicate surface of the silk support.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure stands beneath a gently curving branch, a fan held in one hand, her expression composed and partially concealed by her hair. While her identity remains unknown, the serene pose and elegant attire suggest a literary or aristocratic role, perhaps evoking the refined ideals of a poetess or court lady.
Technique & Style
Haritsu employs fine, airy lines and a restrained palette of muted hues, allowing the silk to convey a subtle luminosity. The tree’s branches are rendered with calligraphic strokes, their flowing curves echoing the woman's tranquil posture. Shadow is suggested through delicate cross‑hatching, creating depth without disrupting the overall softness of the image.
History & Provenance
The scroll, signed and dated by Haritsu, has been documented in Japanese collections since the eighteenth century, though specific ownership records are sparse. Its anonymity and lack of a formal title have contributed to its identification simply as "Untitled," a common practice for works whose subjects were not recorded in contemporary inventories.
Artist & collection
