Man with Broken Umbrella

Hokusai School

Created:
Movement:
1868
None
key Notes:
Edo-period genre scene, Ukiyo-e style.
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Dimensions:
13 1/4 x 9 5/8 in. (33.7 x 24.4 cm)
medium:
Unmounted painting; ink and watercolor on paper
Difficulty:
Expert
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story of the work:

"Man with Broken Umbrella" is a woodblock print attributed to the Hokusai School, created in the 19th century during the Edo period in Japan. The work reflects the ukiyo-e style, characterized by its focus on everyday life and landscapes. The artist's identity within the Hokusai School remains unknown, as many works from this period were produced by multiple artists under a single master. The print depicts a figure holding a broken umbrella, symbolizing resilience in the face of adversity. This theme is common in ukiyo-e, which often captures the transient nature of life. The use of color and line in the print demonstrates the technical skill of the Hokusai School. The exact date of creation and the specific context of the work are not well-documented. The print is part of a broader tradition of depicting human emotion and experience in Japanese art.

Description of the work:

"Man with Broken Umbrella" is an unmounted painting executed in ink and watercolor on paper, attributed to the Hokusai School in the 19th century. The composition features a solitary figure, depicted in a dynamic pose, struggling with a broken umbrella. The use of ink outlines emphasizes the contours of the figure and the umbrella, while the watercolor application provides a subtle interplay of color and texture. The background is minimally rendered, allowing the viewer's focus to remain on the central figure and the umbrella's fragmented state. The overall palette is characterized by muted tones, enhancing the somber mood of the scene. The work exemplifies the Hokusai School's attention to detail and mastery of depicting human emotion through gesture and expression.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Man with Broken Umbrella