Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Suzuki Harunobu, ink, 1765
Untitled, by Suzuki Harunobu, ink, 1765

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Suzuki Harunobu. It dates from 1765 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This untitled woodblock print, created by Suzuki Harunobu in 1765, is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. Executed in ink and color on paper, it depicts a serene scene of two figures in traditional attire.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows a kneeling woman, dressed in boldly checked robes with a red sash, holding a child. Beside her stands a figure in a patterned robe, equipped with a bow, arrows, and a bowcase. The interaction or relationship between the two is left to interpretation, inviting the viewer to ponder the narrative.

Technique & Style

Harunobu's technique is characterized by flat, vibrant colors and clean, precise lines, hallmark of his ukiyo-e woodblock print style. The composition's simplicity and the use of negative space enhance the overall sense of calm.

History & Provenance

Created in 1765, this print is a product of Harunobu's active period. It is now housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, though the full provenance history prior to its acquisition is not detailed here.

Context

Emerging from 18th-century Japan, this work reflects the ukiyo-e tradition's focus on everyday life and nature, though the specific scene's context (e.g., the figures' identities or the setting's significance) remains ambiguous.

Legacy

As part of Harunobu's oeuvre, this print contributes to the broader influence of ukiyo-e on later Japanese art and its global impact, particularly on Western artists discovering Japanese prints in the late 19th century.

Artist & collection