Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Tōshū in 1794.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Tōshū , 1794

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Tōshū. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

A man in a dark robe glares at you, one eyebrow raised, lips pressed tight.

A man in a dark robe glares at you, one eyebrow raised, lips pressed tight. His face is white like powder, his hair a wild black cloud. The print feels almost too close—like he’s about to step out of the frame.

This is an actor from Kabuki theater, caught in a single, tense moment. Sharaku made these prints for only ten months in 1794, then vanished. No one knows why he stopped or who he really was. The white mica background makes the ink glow, like moonlight on skin.

Look up other Kabuki actor portraits by the same subject.

Overview

Untitled is a woodblock print created by Tōshūsai Sharaku in 1794. It is a portrait of a Kabuki theater actor.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures a tense moment, depicting the actor with a white, powdered face and wild black hair, conveying a sense of intensity. The subject is frozen in a dramatic pose, characteristic of Kabuki performances.

Technique & Style

The use of white mica in the background gives the print a glowing effect, evoking the appearance of moonlight on skin. The ink and color on paper create a striking contrast, drawing attention to the actor's face and expression.

History & Provenance

Sharaku's identity and reasons for ceasing production after just ten months in 1794 remain unknown. His work from this period includes several Kabuki actor portraits, of which this print is an example.