Artwork

百人一首乳母かえ説元良親王|Poem by Motoyoshi Shinnō, from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki)

百人一首乳母かえ説元良親王|Poem by Motoyoshi Shinnō, from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse (Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki) is an ink print by the Japonisme artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, 'Poem by Motoyoshi Shinnō, from the series One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse,' is a work by Katsushika Hokusai, created around 1839. It is a colorful scene depicting a rural landscape with a group of people, a river, and a mountain.

Subject & Meaning

The print illustrates a serene rural scene with a man in a blue outfit leading a brown cow laden with sticks. The tranquil atmosphere is enhanced by a calm river and surrounding landscape, evoking a sense of peacefulness.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink and color on paper, the print showcases Hokusai's use of bright, vibrant hues, with blues, greens, and browns dominating the composition. The woodblock technique allows for a detailed and intricate representation of the scene.

History & Provenance

The print is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. It is one of the works from Hokusai's series 'One Hundred Poems Explained by the Nurse,' created during the late Edo period.