Visions of the Floating World April 30, 2010

Ukiyo-e, literally meaning pictures from the floating world in Japanese, blossomed in the form of paintings, screens, illustrated books, but especially colorful woodblock prints. Although the history of Japanese woodblock prints can be traced back to the 8th century, there was a dramatic rise in Japanese artists who turned to printmaking beginning in the 17th century. This led to a greater refinement in technique, including the introduction of full color, and a wider range of subjects. The fashionable woodblock prints were widely purchased in Japan and later captured the imagination of Western artists after trade opened up between Japan and the West in 1854. This exhibition presents the people and places largely from the Edo period 1614-1868, including woodblock prints by artists Kikugawa Eizan, Ando Hiroshige, Utagawa Kunisada, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, and Kitagawa Utamaro, among others. The primary inspiration of ukiyo-e was the pleasure district, where one could find kabuki theater, popular restaurants, brothels, and street entertainment.