Artwork

Tosa no umi|Inland Sea near Tosa

Tosa no umi|Inland Sea near Tosa, by Totoya Hokkei, ink, 1820
Tosa no umi|Inland Sea near Tosa, by Totoya Hokkei, ink, 1820

Tosa no umi|Inland Sea near Tosa is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Totoya Hokkei. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Tosa no umi (Inland Sea near Tosa) is a woodblock print (surimono) created by Totoya Hokkei around 1820, now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a red and white boat on the water with figures in traditional Japanese attire, their attention directed towards a distant point, set against a backdrop of mountains and a vibrant, sunset-hued sky with a prominent sun.

Technique & Style

Executed in ink and color on paper, the work showcases meticulous detail and a bold, colorful palette, characteristic of surimono prints, though its emotional and atmospheric rendering might evoke comparisons with the expressive qualities of the Romanticism movement.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1820 by Totoya Hokkei, the print is currently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, with its provenance prior to museum acquisition not detailed here.

Context

While stylistically rooted in Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock printing, the print's emphasis on natural beauty and human engagement with the environment aligns with themes found in Western Romanticism, though direct influence is not specified.

Legacy

As part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, Tosa no umi contributes to the global appreciation of Japanese woodblock printing techniques and the artistic sensibilities of the early 19th century.

Artist & collection