Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Suzuki Harunobu in 1768.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Suzuki Harunobu , 1768

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Suzuki Harunobu. It dates from 1768 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This untitled woodblock print, created around 1768 by Suzuki Harunobu, is a seminal work in Japanese printmaking, notable for being one of the first to utilize full-color techniques through multiple carved blocks.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts an intimate scene featuring a geisha in a vibrant kimono engaged in a hand game, Kitsune ken, with a kagema (male companion). A nearby shamisen, with unmoved strings, suggests a pause in music. Kitsune ken, a popular entertainment, involved mimicking characters such as a fox, hunter, or village headman, reflecting the leisure activities of the time.

Technique & Style

Harunobu pioneered a revolutionary printing method here, employing multiple woodblocks (one per color) to achieve full-color imagery on a single sheet, distinguishing it from preceding black-and-white or hand-tinted prints.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1768, this work marks an early milestone in Harunobu’s career and the development of Japanese woodblock printing, though specific ownership histories are not detailed here.

Context

Emerging in 18th-century Japan, this print reflects the cultural flourishing of Edo’s pleasure quarters, where geishas, kagema, and games like Kitsune ken were integral to social entertainment.

Legacy

As one of Japan’s first full-color woodblock prints, it influenced the subsequent development of ukiyo-e, paving the way for later generations of printmakers to explore color and composition extensively.