Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Utagawa Toyokuni I in 1796.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Untitled

Utagawa Toyokuni I , 1796

Untitled is an ink print by the Baroque artist Utagawa Toyokuni I. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1796 by the prolific ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Toyokuni I, this woodblock print presents a single figure rendered in bold color and line. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies the portrait conventions of late‑eighteenth‑century Japanese printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a male figure turned slightly away, his high‑styled black wig and thick, arched eyebrows marking him as a theatrical persona. He wears a vivid red kimono patterned with stylized green foliage, and his right hand grips a slender staff, a common attribute of kabuki actors portraying heroic or samurai roles.

Technique & Style

Executed with traditional woodblock methods, the artist carved separate blocks for line work and each color, allowing the striking red and green hues to stand out against an unadorned background. The repetitive leaf motif on the garment imitates textile design, a visual shorthand frequently employed in ukiyo-e to suggest fabric texture and pattern.

History & Provenance

The print has remained in the public domain since its production, eventually entering the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its attribution to Toyokuni I, a leading figure of the Utagawa school, confirms its place within the broader output of Edo‑period portraiture that documented popular actors and their stage costumes.