Print (19th century, Met-Objekt 4683)
Original title: Print
kurzbeschreibung
A figure in traditional Japanese dress, caught mid-movement before blossoming branches: this motif comes from Utagawa Kuniyoshi and dates to the 19th century. The sheet was made as a woodblock print in ink and colour on paper, with a single person at its centre.
Description
A coat wraps around the figure, an object rests in the hand, and the pose suggests motion. Behind, branches open into blossoms that call winter or early spring to mind. Brown, red and blue tones play against each other, carried by the flowers and the clothing. The layout pulls the eye clearly toward the person in the foreground, while the rear area stays less worked out. Chinese characters and a red seal sit at the lower left.
Context
Utagawa Kuniyoshi ranks among the major figures of Japanese ukiyo-e and was active in the 19th century; numerous woodblock prints of historical and legendary characters came from his hand. This sheet belongs to the Edo or Meiji period, an era in which woodblock prints were widely circulated. Characters and red seal point to the authenticity and authorship of the artist.
Impact
The moving pose and strong colours give the sheet a lively, almost dramatic presence. The blossoms in the rear set themselves against the figure and reinforce the mood of the season. All in all the work feels expressive and rich in detail, as is characteristic of Kuniyoshi's style.
Technique
The sheet was produced by woodblock printing: the motif is cut into wood and then pulled onto paper. Ink and colours were applied to paper, with several printing blocks serving the different colours. Precise lines and colour gradations attest to the high craft quality of ukiyo-e prints.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)