Print (19th century, Met-Objekt 4685)
Original title: Print
kurzbeschreibung
A man in a striped kimono, caught mid-gesture: this 19th-century colour woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, printed in ink and colour on paper, measures 34.9 × 24.4 cm.
Description
The figure wears a kimono striped in muted brown and red, and his right hand holds a weapon. His stance is expansive, as if he is in the thick of a fight. Behind him appear branches with blue blossoms that suggest a winter scene. At the bottom of the sheet are Japanese characters and a red seal, identifying the artist and title.
Context
Kuniyoshi ranks among the major ukiyo-e masters of the 19th century and became known above all for warrior and historical subjects. His career falls in the Edo period, when prints were circulated as mass-produced goods. As often in his work, a dynamic hero and a stylised background meet here.
Impact
The layout directs the eye at once to the central figure, whose expansive pose generates tension. Muted tones and crisp contours give the sheet a calm yet powerful presence characteristic of woodblock prints of the period.
Technique
The print is made from cut woodblocks: each colour requires its own block, and all must be aligned precisely when printed. This is evident in the clear contours and flat areas of tone that set figure and background apart.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)