Who painted Fourth Print from A Low Tide Pentaptych?

Fourth Print from A Low Tide Pentaptych was painted by Utagawa Kuniyoshi in 1830.

Where can I see Fourth Print from A Low Tide Pentaptych?

Fourth Print from A Low Tide Pentaptych is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Fourth Print from A Low Tide Pentaptych?

Fourth Print from A Low Tide Pentaptych is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Fourth Print from A Low Tide Pentaptych

Utagawa Kuniyoshi , 1830

Fourth Print from A Low Tide Pentaptych is a print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

These prints were private gifts, meant for wealthy poetry lovers.

This print shows people kneeling on wet sand at low tide. Some hold lanterns. Others pick up shells or crabs. In the background, the water’s edge glows under a light sky.

These prints were private gifts, meant for wealthy poetry lovers. Each sheet had two poems written across the top. The group picked April for this scene since tides were best then.

Look up Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1797–1861).

Overview

Fourth Print from A Low Tide Pentaptych is one of five surimono prints depicting a scene of people gathering sea life at low tide. The series combines visual art with ten witty poems, two per print, created by a poetry circle based in Edo (now Tokyo).

Subject & Meaning

The print portrays individuals kneeling on wet sand, engaging in activities such as holding lanterns, collecting shells, and catching crabs, set against a serene backdrop of a glowing water's edge under a light sky. The scene captures a leisurely activity, likely emphasizing the seasonal appeal of April as an ideal time for such pursuits.

Technique & Style

Attributed to Utagawa Kuniyoshi, the print exemplifies the surimono technique, characterized by its privately commissioned nature and the integration of poetry within the composition. The style blends meticulous depictions of everyday life with the aesthetic of Edo-period Japanese woodblock printing.

History & Provenance

Led by Hisakataya Misora, the Edo-based poetry circle produced this pentaptych, with Misora contributing four of the ten poems. The prints were intended as exclusive gifts for affluent patrons who appreciated poetry.

Context

Created in the Edo period, this work reflects the cultural penchant for seasonal themes and the intersection of art and literature among the city's intellectual circles. The choice of April for the scene aligns with the traditional appreciation for the month's favorable tides.

Legacy

As a surimono print, it represents a lesser-known but significant aspect of Japanese woodblock printing—private, poetic commissions. Its legacy lies in showcasing the collaborative artistic and literary practices of early 19th-century Edo.

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…