Who painted 歌川国芳画「大物の浦平家の亡霊」|Ghosts of the Taira at Daimotsu Bay?

歌川国芳画「大物の浦平家の亡霊」|Ghosts of the Taira at Daimotsu Bay was painted by Utagawa Kuniyoshi in 1845.

Where can I see 歌川国芳画「大物の浦平家の亡霊」|Ghosts of the Taira at Daimotsu Bay?

歌川国芳画「大物の浦平家の亡霊」|Ghosts of the Taira at Daimotsu Bay is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 歌川国芳画「大物の浦平家の亡霊」|Ghosts of the Taira at Daimotsu Bay?

歌川国芳画「大物の浦平家の亡霊」|Ghosts of the Taira at Daimotsu Bay is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

歌川国芳画「大物の浦平家の亡霊」|Ghosts of the Taira at Daimotsu Bay

Utagawa Kuniyoshi , 1845

歌川国芳画「大物の浦平家の亡霊」|Ghosts of the Taira at Daimotsu Bay is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Ghosts of the Taira at Daimotsu Bay is a triptych of woodblock prints (nishiki-e) created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi in 1845. Composed of ink and color on paper, the work is currently part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a tumultuous scene of a crowded boat battling fierce waves, with figures in traditional Japanese attire. The dramatic composition alludes to a mythological narrative involving the ghosts of the Taira clan.

Technique & Style

Kuniyoshi employed bold lines and vibrant colors, particularly in the blue and white waves with foamy crests, to convey dynamic energy. The use of perspective and composition generates a sense of depth and tension, emphasizing the turmoil.

History & Provenance

Created in 1845, the work is part of the Romanticism-influenced oeuvre of Utagawa Kuniyoshi. It is now housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, with its provenance tracing back through collections to its current holding.

Context

This work reflects the ukiyo-e tradition's adaptation of mythological themes, blending the supernatural with realistic depictions of nature's fury. It also touches on the cultural significance of the Taira clan's legend in Japanese folklore.

Legacy

As a notable example of Kuniyoshi's work, it influences the broader appreciation of Japanese woodblock printing's artistic and narrative capabilities, especially in conveying dramatic, emotionally charged scenes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Kuniyoshi grew up in old Tokyo when the city was still called Edo. His dad ran a silk shop, but Kuniyoshi loved anything with pictures—scrolls, screens, comic books. He talked his way into the Utagawa school, a kind of…