Artwork

「三ひらの内」日輪に烏|Three Crows against the Rising Sun, from the series Three Sheets (Mihira no uchi)

「三ひらの内」日輪に烏|Three Crows against the Rising Sun, from the series Three Sheets (Mihira no uchi) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Totoya Hokkei. It dates from 1814 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, 'Three Crows against the Rising Sun', is part of the series 'Three Sheets' by Totoya Hokkei, created around 1814. It is a surimono, a type of print typically produced in limited editions.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts three crows in flight against a vibrant orange circle, evoking the image of a rising sun. The crows' dynamic poses and detailed feathers convey a sense of movement.

Technique & Style

The artist achieved a lifelike representation of the crows through careful shading and the use of ink and color on paper. The detailed feathers are rendered with sharp lines, while cross-hatching builds up dark tones.