Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by the Baroque artist Torii Kiyonobu II. It dates from 1747 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This untitled woodblock print, created in 1747 by Torii Kiyonobu II, exemplifies the ukiyo-e genre, capturing a moment of urban Japanese culture on paper with ink and color.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene Japanese man in traditional floral-patterned kimono, holding a basket, set against a natural backdrop of a tree with green leaves on a beige ground, evoking a tranquil outdoor scene.
Technique & Style
Characterized by bold lines and vibrant colors, the print's energetic and dynamic visual language bears a stylistic resemblance to the Baroque movement, despite being a traditional ukiyo-e work.
History & Provenance
Torii Kiyonobu II, head of the Torii school from 1725 to 1760, produced this work in the narrow hosoban format, one of approximately 300 actor prints for various publishers, now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Context
As part of the ukiyo-e genre, this print reflects the cultural fascination with urban life, particularly kabuki actors, in 18th-century Japan.
Artist & collection
Artist
Torii Kiyonobu II (Japanese: 二代目 鳥居 清信 Nidaime Torii Kiyonobu; active 1725–1760) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist.
