Edgar Hillaire Degas (French, 1834-1917)The Tub, 1886

Japanese Color Woodblock Prints

Hill-Stead’s collection of color woodblock prints showcases particularly choice images, including works by Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige and Kitagawa Utamaro. The woodblock print took hold in Japan in the 16th century during a period of rapid urbanization when book publication began to flourish. As printed images became more colorful and complex, publishers realized that they could market these images independently. This genre of artwork later inspired the French Impressionist painters.

Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797-1858)Driving Rain at Shono, from 53 Stations on the Tokaido, 1833

Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797-1858)High Tide at Shibauro, from Famous Places of the Eastern Capital,

Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760-1849)Inume Pass in Kai Province from 36 Views of Mt. Fuji, c. 1831

Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760-1849)Actor on a Stage

Kitagwa Utamaro (Japanese, 1750-1806)Kneeling Lady with Fan, c. 1790s

Prints in Hill-Stead's Collection

Artist unknown
Old Man and Woman Beneath Umbrella, date unknown

Female Figures, pair of prints, dates unknown

Path by Lake with Pines, date unknown

Suzuki Harunobu (c. 1724 – 1770)
Actor with Falcon, date unknown

Actor with Flute, date unknown

Two Figures and a Child or Woman Meeting Child Held by Servant Girl, 1760s

Utagawa (Ando) Hiroshige (1797 – 1858)
Winter Landscape, Woman with Umbrella or Fallen Snow, date unknown

53 Stations on the Tokaido, Driving Rain at Shono, 1833-1834

53 Stations on the Tokaido, Shinagawa Sunrise, 1833-1834

53 Stations on the Tokaido, Nissaka, 1833-1834

Two Fish and Two Crayfish, 1830-1840

Famous Places of the Eastern Capital, Lowtide at Shibaura, c. 1831

Eight Views in the Neighborhood of Edo, Night Rain at Azumasha, 1838

Girl in Kimono, date unknown

Totoya Hokkei (1780 – 1850),
Nobles Composing Poem on Shipboard or Rocks and Full Moon, date unknown

Katsushika Hokusai (1760 – 1849),
36 Views of Mt. Fuji, Under the Wave at Kanawaga (The Great Wave), c. 1831

36 Views of Mt. Fuji, Inume Pass in Kai Province, c. 1831

Waterfalls of Various Provinces, 1831-1832

Actors on a Stage, set of three, dates unknown

Katsukawa Shunei (1762 – 1819),
Actor in Red Kimono with Sword, 1790s

Katsushika Taito II (c. 1810 – 1853),
Jumping Carp or Carp Swimming in Whirlpool, 1853

Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1753 – 1806),
Courtesan or Kneeling Lady with Fan, 1790s

Physiognomatic Aspects of Women, Flirtatious, Passionate or Wanton Woman, 1790s

Two Gesiha or Two Women, One with Lantern, date unknown, not on view

Mother and Baby or Awabi Divers or Abalone Gatherers, c. 1800

Three Women in the Rain or Summer Shower, early 1800s

Attributed to Kikukawa Yeisan (1787 – 1867),
Two Lovers or Shogun and Girl Carrying Pole with Baskets, date unknown