Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Toriyama Sekien in 1775.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Toriyama Sekien , 1775

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Toriyama Sekien. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created around 1775, this woodblock print by Toriyama Sekier presents a quiet domestic scene.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1775, this woodblock print by Toriyama Sekier presents a quiet domestic scene. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies the artist’s skill in rendering everyday moments with compositional restraint.

Subject & Meaning

A seated figure, cross‑legged at a low table, wears a broad‑brimmed hat and loose robes, holding a small bowl and chopsticks as if engaged in a simple act of eating or offering. A perched bird above and another in flight add a subtle natural element, suggesting a harmonious relationship between human activity and the surrounding environment.

Technique & Style

The print relies on crisp line work and flat areas of color, with modest shading beneath the hat’s brim to convey depth. The restrained palette and clean contours create a calm, measured atmosphere, characteristic of Sekien’s approach to woodblock illustration.

History & Provenance

Produced in the late eighteenth century, the piece has remained in private and institutional hands before being acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its documented provenance traces back to the artist’s original workshop, confirming its authenticity and historical placement within Edo‑period printmaking.

Context

Toriyama Sekien is best known for his encyclopedic series of yokai illustrations, yet this work reflects his broader interest in everyday subjects. The composition aligns with the ukiyo‑e tradition of depicting ordinary life, offering insight into the visual culture of mid‑Edo Japan.