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大坂下り早竹虎吉|The Plum Blossom that Flew on Lightning from Chikushino

Utagawa Yoshiharu

1857

ink

paper

From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Early 19th Century Mythology Lightning

Dominant colour

大坂下り早竹虎吉|The Plum Blossom that Flew on Lightning from Chikushino is a 1857 ink by Utagawa Yoshiharu, a Impressionism work, depicting Lightning, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Utagawa Yoshiharu
When & what style?: 1857 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Metropolitan Museum of Art

About this work

The painting shows a man in a kimono standing on a curved black surface, holding a red object in his right hand. He wears a white kimono with red and blue accents and has a serious expression. Above him, a figure with multiple arms and legs is suspended in mid-air, surrounded by a red lightning bolt. The background is a gray sky with clouds. The man's kimono features a unique design, with red and blue accents that add a pop of color to the overall scene. The figure above him appears to be in motion, with its multiple limbs splayed out in different directions. This painting is reminiscent of the work of Utagawa Yoshiharu, a Japanese artist known for his bold and dynamic compositions.