Artwork

The Strange Occurrence of Ukiyo Matahei and his Famous Paintings

The Strange Occurrence of Ukiyo Matahei and his Famous Paintings is a print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. It dates from 1853 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Ukiyo Matahei, also known as Iwasa Matabei, is depicted in this print surrounded by animated characters from his own works, including a demon, a monkey, the wisteria maiden, and Fukurokuju, the God of Longevity. Their shadowy silhouettes remain in the paintings, juxtaposed with their lively, three-dimensional forms.

Subject & Meaning

The scene highlights Matahei's creative world, where fictional subjects from his otsu-e folk paintings have stepped out of their two-dimensional context. This blend of reality and fantasy showcases the artist's imagination and the significance of these characters in his oeuvre.

Technique & Style

The print exemplifies Matahei's skill in seamlessly integrating diverse elements: the static, shadowy forms within the paintings contrast with the vibrant, lifelike characters, demonstrating his mastery of composition and narrative depth, characteristic of his work in both printmaking and otsu-e painting.

History & Provenance

Attributed to Ukiyo Matahei (Iwasa Matabei), a renowned figure in Japanese printmaking and possibly otsu-e painting, this work is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art, though specific historical details about its creation are not provided here.

Context

The work reflects Matahei's influence by and contribution to otsu-e, a unique style of Japanese folk painting. This style, embodied in the characters depicted, offers insight into the artistic and cultural currents of the time, blending traditional themes with innovative storytelling.

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…