Japanese Woodblock Prints (1600 - 1800)

Early ukiyo-e, or pictures (e) of the floating world (ukiyo), emerged around 1660 with monochrome prints. The masters of this “primitive” period, such as Moronobu and Masanobu, are known for their elegant and vital lines. By 1700, the first early color prints emerged. Hand-colored with vegetable-based pigments, this process proved costly and was replaced by full-color printing in 1765. Known as the father of color printing, Harunobu ushered in the era of nishiki-e, or brocade pictures, with sensitivity and subtlety. The late 18th century welcomed a “golden age” of ukiyo-e, during which time artists developed the use of color and diversified their approach to subject matter. Sharaku imbued his actor portraits with a greater sense of individualism, while Utamaro delved deeper into the “greenhouses” of the Yoshiwara, considering the private lives of courtesans. Browse our collection of early ukiyo-e below.

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Availability

  • Available
  • Archive

Price

18000780

Artist

  • Harunobu
  • Utamaro

Series

  • Ehon Momo Chidori
  • The Brocade of Spring [Ehon]

Subject

  • Actors & Theater
  • Animals & Fish
  • Architectural
  • Beauties (bijin-ga)
  • Birds
  • Calligraphy
  • Children
  • Flowers & Gardens
  • Ghosts & Demons (yokai)
  • Landscapes
  • Legends & History
  • Manga & Bookplates
  • Music & Dance
  • Nature
  • Pastimes
  • Poets & Scholars
  • Portraits
  • Rain
  • Rituals & Beliefs
  • Shunga
  • Spring
  • Still Life
  • Summer
  • Sumo
  • Surimono
  • Warriors & Samurai
  • Waterscapes
  • Winter

Period

  • 1600 - 1800 (Early Edo)

Medium

  • Woodblock Print

Size

  • Small (ie. Chuban)
  • Medium (ie. Oban)

3 Products

Scops Owl

Utamaro

Scops Owl

JPR-210168

SOLD

Two Beauties Spot a Bird in the Clouds

Harunobu

Two Beauties Spot a Bird in the Clouds

JPR-210375

SOLD

Bullfinch and Scops Owl

Utamaro

Bullfinch and Scops Owl

JP5459

SOLD