Artwork
White and Purple Irises
White and Purple Irises is a print by the Romanticist artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
White and Purple Irises, a woodblock print executed around 1804 by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The image presents a cluster of irises rendered in contrasting purple and white tones, set against an unadorned background that emphasizes the floral forms.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on the delicate blossoms of irises, a plant traditionally associated with autumn and purity in Japanese symbolism. By juxtaposing the deep violet petals with pale white ones, the work evokes a subtle dialogue between darkness and light, suggesting the fleeting beauty of seasonal change.
Technique & Style
Hokusai employs the characteristic Edo‑period approach of strong, decisive outlines to define each flower, while the interior spaces are filled with muted, gradated washes of color. This combination of bold line work and gentle tonal shading creates a refined balance that highlights both the structural and atmospheric qualities of the subject.
History & Provenance
Created in the early nineteenth century, the print has remained in private and institutional hands before being acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art. Its attribution to Hokusai, a leading figure of the ukiyo‑e movement, confirms its place within the broader corpus of his botanical and landscape studies.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katsushika Hokusai spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he drew and carved prints for a living.
