Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a print by the Baroque artist Torii Kiyomasu I. It dates from 12 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a lacquer print (Urushi-e) attributed to Torii Kiyomasu I, dated to the 12th century. It is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a solemn figure on a white horse, clad in a black robe with a white circular emblem. The rider holds a sword and a staff with a spiral tip, gazing downward. The subject's identity and the scene's context are not explicitly documented, leaving interpretation open.
Technique & Style
Executed in a restrained palette of black, yellow, and white, the work showcases Urushi-e techniques. While traditionally Japanese, the dramatic composition and expressive elements bear a superficial resemblance to European Baroque styles, though this is likely coincidental given the piece's 12th-century dating, predating Baroque by centuries.
History & Provenance
Created in the 12th century, the print's history prior to its acquisition by The Metropolitan Museum of Art is not detailed in available records.
Context
As a 12th-century Urushi-e, this work represents a rare example of early Japanese lacquer printing. Its themes and style reflect the artistic and possibly the literary or military influences of its time, though specific connections are not well-documented.
Legacy
The print's impact on later artistic movements or its influence within Japanese art history is not prominently noted in available sources, suggesting it may be valued more for its rarity and historical representation than for direct artistic lineage.
Artist & collection
Artist
Torii Kiyomasu was the shop name of a printmaker in Edo—modern Tokyo—who spent his short career plastering the city with bold, eye-catching posters.
