Artwork

Coastal Landscape

Coastal Landscape, by Iwasa Matabei, unspecified, 1594
Coastal Landscape, by Iwasa Matabei, unspecified, 1594

Coastal Landscape is an unspecified painting by the Renaissance artist Iwasa Matabei. It dates from 1594 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Coastal Landscape, created in 1594 by Japanese artist Iwasa Matabei, is a serene representation of a coastal scene characterized by a soft, muted color palette and gentle natural elements.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a peaceful shoreline with lapping waves, distant trees swaying in the breeze, and an overall atmosphere of tranquility, inviting the viewer into its calm environment.

Technique & Style

Matabei's work showcases delicate brushstrokes, subtle texture, and a thoughtful use of light and shadow to achieve depth and dimensionality, typical of his nuanced approach to both color and monochrome compositions.

History & Provenance

Part of the ukiyo-e movement during the early Tokugawa period, Coastal Landscape is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, reflecting Matabei's contribution to the era's artistic output.

Context

While associated with the ukiyo-e movement, this piece also aligns with the artistic sensibilities of the preceding Momoyama period, known for its emphasis on natural beauty and serene landscapes.

Legacy

As a work by Matabei, known for genre scenes and literary illustrations, Coastal Landscape contributes to the understanding of early ukiyo-e's thematic breadth and the artist's versatility beyond figure-centric works.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Iwasa Matabei

Artist

Iwasa Matabei

Iwasa Matabei (岩佐 又兵衛); original name Araki Katsumochi 1578 – July 20, 1650) was a Japanese artist of the early Tokugawa period, who specialized in genre scenes of historical events and illustrations of classical…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.