Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Ryūgetsusai Shinkō in 1814.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Ryūgetsusai Shinkō , 1814

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Ryūgetsusai Shinkō. It dates from 1814 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1814 by the Edo‑period artist Ryūgetsusai Shinkō, this surimono woodblock print measures a single sheet of paper printed with ink and color. 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, checkered hat rendered in brown and green, its wide brim accented by a red bow tied beneath the chin. A minimal sketch of a head and shoulders surrounds the headwear, suggesting the hat as the primary object of interest, perhaps indicating a specific fashion or ceremonial item.

Technique & Style

Executed as a surimono, the print combines hand‑applied ink with flat areas of color, producing vivid, unmodulated tones. Clean, precise lines define the pattern of the hat, while the background features handwritten Japanese characters, a typical hallmark of privately commissioned prints intended for limited circulation.

History & Provenance

The piece was likely produced for a special occasion or as a commemorative item, as indicated by the textual inscription in the background. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the twentieth century, joining a broader assemblage of Japanese woodblock prints that illustrate the medium’s varied uses beyond commercial publishing.