Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Torii Kiyomasu II in 1716.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Untitled

Torii Kiyomasu II , 1716

Untitled is an ink print by the Baroque artist Torii Kiyomasu II. It dates from 1716 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1716 by the Edo‑period artist Torii Kiyomasu II, this woodblock print—catalogued as an untitled work—is executed in the beni‑e tradition, employing black, red and green pigments on paper. The piece is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of early 18th‑century Japanese printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts three figures navigating a heavy downpour: one carries a bucket, another shields himself with an umbrella, and a third stoops beneath a bundled load. Behind them a modest wooden dwelling stands beneath an orange‑hued tree with contorted branches, while the sky is rendered in dark, turbulent strokes, suggesting the intensity of the storm and the everyday resilience of urban life.

Technique & Style

The swirling lines in the sky and the uneven, muddy ground convey motion and atmosphere through careful carving and layering of the woodblocks.

Executed as a beni‑e print, the work relies on a limited palette in which vivid red ink highlights the tree and the clothing of the passers‑by against a predominantly monochrome background. The use of green adds a subtle accent to foliage, while the black outlines define the figures and architectural elements. The swirling lines in the sky and the uneven, muddy ground convey motion and atmosphere through careful carving and layering of the woodblocks.

History & Provenance

The print was produced during the flourishing of ukiyo‑e in the early 1700s, a period when the Torii school supplied imagery for kabuki theater and popular culture. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the early 20th century, reflecting the institution’s long‑standing interest in Japanese prints and their role in cross‑cultural artistic exchange.