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四季の花|The Coming Thunderstorm, from the illustrated book Flowers of the Four Seasons

Kitagawa Utamaro

1801

ink

paper

From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art

Romanticism Ukiyo-e Early 19th Century Landscape Rain

Dominant colour

四季の花|The Coming Thunderstorm, from the illustrated book Flowers of the Four Seasons is a 1801 ink by Kitagawa Utamaro, a Romanticism work, depicting Rain, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Kitagawa Utamaro
When & what style?: 1801 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Metropolitan Museum of Art

About this work

This woodblock print depicts a group of people seeking shelter from an impending thunderstorm. The scene is set in a traditional Japanese setting, with a large window and a sliding door in the background. In the foreground, a woman is shown holding up a large piece of fabric to shield herself and others from the rain. The print is characterized by its use of bold lines and vibrant colors, which create a sense of energy and movement. The artist's use of cross-hatching techniques adds depth and texture to the image, drawing the viewer's eye to the central figures. To learn more about the techniques used in this print, look up the technique of cross-hatching.