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Okumura Masanobu

Horses, 1710's

Description

Maker

Title

Horses

Year

1710's

Medium

Monochrome woodblock print (sumizuri-e)

Materials/Techniques

Materials

Techniques

Supports

Dimensions

Sheet: 29.8 x 41.6 cm (11 3/4 x 16 3/8 inches) oban yoko-e; Mat size: D

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Signed at right | Yamato eshi (Japanese painter) Okamura Masanobu

Place

Japan; Tokyo

Type

Credit

Gift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Object Number

34.447

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Process and Function

January 19 - May 27, 2007

This spectacular composition is an early monochrome experiment with bird-and-flower subject matter. Interestingly, Masanobu signs the print "the Japanese painter Okamura Masanobu" (Yamato eshi Okamura Masanobu). By inscribing his work in this way, he is claiming his place as a "painter" in a long lineage of artists working in a Japanese painting style associated with the Heian-period court (794-1185).

A Celebration of the New Year in Japanese Woodblock Prints

January 1 - March 1, 1990

Probably a print published in an album, the vigorous orchestration of lines convey the wit and spirit of both the horses depicted and the artist's hand. Masanobu, one of the most highly productive and innovative print artists of his time, created many monochrome print (sumizuri-e) series and was often his own publisher. This allowed him to create images of uncommon dash and Edo spirit.

Use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use. This object is in the public domain (CC0 1.0). This object is Horses with the accession number of 34.447. To request high-resolution files or new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.