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Ukiyo-e

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Ukiyo-e, which translates “pictures of the floating world,” is a Japanese artistic genre that flourished between the 17th and 19th centuries. Mostly formed as woodblock prints, Ukiyo-e art catered to the period’s growing urban merchant class, which, although economically well-off, was at the bottom of the social hierarchy defined by Tokugawa military government. This class was separated in Japan’s cities creating busy, commerce-centric areas full of pleasure (be it entertainment or sexual) for sale. Ukiyo-e prints of courtesans, kabuki actors, sumo wrestlers, and erotica sold well to these merchants and artists found a new opportunity to portray the daily life around them. Ukiyo-e’s large, flat shapes, limited shading, and unapologetic lines greatly influenced Western art movements that sought detachment from academic European sensibility. Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, and Art Nouveau artists all cited Ukiyo-e prints as influential to their practice.

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Editorial (3)

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“The Great Wave” Was Meant to Go Viral

“The Great Wave” Was Meant to Go Viral

In our series Why Is This Famous?, we aim to answer the unanswerable: How does a work actually enter the public consciousnes…

When “Japonisme” Swept Europe

When “Japonisme” Swept Europe

(Check out this article’s corresponding playlist, featuring Impressionist work juxtaposed with their ukiyo-e inspiration.)…

Sticks & Stones: Ink

Sticks & Stones: Ink

In our series Sticks & Stones, we take a deep dive into medium. Each installment features one of art history’s most sign…

Artists (6)

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Utagawa Hiroshige

Utagawa Hiroshige

Japanese, 1797–1858
Louis Anquetin

Louis Anquetin

French, 1861–1932
Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Japanese, 1797–1861

Playlists (5)

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19

Katsushika Hokusai: Featured Works

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13

Utagawa Hiroshige: The Last Great Ukiyo-e Master

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Works (115)

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