Artwork
Mother and Child

Mother and Child is a print by Koshiro Onchi. It dates from 1935 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
He was a leader in Japan’s sōsaku-hanga movement, where artists carved and printed their own work instead of handing designs to skilled craftspeople.
A woman holds a child close, her face calm, her hands gentle. They sit together, quiet and still, almost like a photograph from an old family album.
Onchi made many prints like this over decades, always returning to the same simple scene. He was a leader in Japan’s sōsaku-hanga movement, where artists carved and printed their own work instead of handing designs to skilled craftspeople.
This painting shows a deep quiet, not drama. It values feeling over action. If you like this quiet mood, look up the artist: Koshiro Onchi (Japanese, 1891–1955).
(Word count: 98)
Overview
'Mother and Child' is a print by Kōshirō Onchi, a prominent figure in Japan's sōsaku-hanga movement, which emphasized artist-led creation and printing.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene scene of a woman holding a child, conveying a sense of quiet intimacy and stillness, with an emphasis on emotional depth over dramatic action.
Technique & Style
Onchi's work was influenced by nonobjective and Expressionist styles, and he favored woodcut for its ability to simplify forms and intensify emotional expression through the physical process of carving.
Context
Onchi's artistic approach was shaped by his admiration for artists like Wassily Kandinsky and Edvard Munch, and his leadership in the sōsaku-hanga movement reflected his commitment to artist-driven printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Kōshirō Onchi (恩地 孝四郎, 2 July 1891 – 3 June 1955), who is also known as Onchi Kōshirō was Tokyo-born Japanese artist who is best known for his prints.
















