Artwork
鞠子|Mariko
鞠子|Mariko is an ink print by the Japonisme artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1805 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Mariko, a woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai, dates to circa 1805. Executed in ink and color on paper, it is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene, intimate gathering of four individuals on a tatami mat. Activities include playing a stringed instrument, holding a fan, and serving tea, conveying a sense of tranquil conviviality.
Technique & Style
Hokusai employed bold lines and flat, vibrant colors to achieve clarity and visual harmony. The composition balances dynamism with calmness, characteristic of his genre scene works.
History & Provenance
Created around 1805, Mariko is now held in the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Context
As a ukiyo-e woodblock print, Mariko reflects 19th-century Japanese everyday life and leisure activities, offering a glimpse into Edo-period domesticity.
Legacy
While specific impact details are not provided, as part of Hokusai's oeuvre, Mariko contributes to the broader appreciation of ukiyo-e's influence on global art movements.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katsushika Hokusai spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he drew and carved prints for a living.
