Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Utagawa Toyokuni II in 1828.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Untitled

Utagawa Toyokuni II , 1828

Untitled is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Toyokuni II. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1828 by the Edo‑period artist Utagawa Toyoshige, this woodblock print measures modest dimensions and is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. Executed with ink and subtle color washes on paper, the work exemplifies the ukiyo‑e tradition of everyday scenes rendered in a restrained palette.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a woman in a blue garment, carrying a basket as she walks beside a gently curving river. A wooden well stands beneath a drooping tree with elongated branches, while a small boat drifts near calm water dotted with rocks. The blurred facial features render the figure as an element of the landscape rather than a focal portrait.

Technique & Style

Toyoshige employs delicate line work and a limited color scheme to convey motion and atmosphere. Light cross‑hatching builds texture in the foliage and water, while the restrained use of ink outlines the scene without heavy detailing. The overall effect is a quiet, observational rendering characteristic of early 19th‑century ukiyo‑e prints.

History & Provenance

The print entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, joining a broader collection of Japanese woodblock prints. Its attribution to Toyoshige, a prolific member of the Utagawa school, aligns with the artist’s known output during the late Edo period.