The Strange Occurrence of Ukiyo Matahei and his Famous Paintings

Description

In this image, otsu-e folk heroes have seemingly come to life, leaving their shadowy figures in the paintings in front of the artist. Included among them are a demon (oni), a monkey, the wisteria maiden, and the bald, tall-headed God of Longevity, Fukurokuju. Ukiyo Matahei, also known as Iwasa Matabei, was a famous printmaker who is also thought to have been a painter of otsu-e.

Provenance

Mr. Jeptha Homer Wade II [1857–1926] and Mrs. Ellen Garretson Wade [1859–1917], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?–1916); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1916–)

The Strange Occurrence of Ukiyo Matahei and his Famous Paintings

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

1853

Accession Number

1916.1160.b

Medium

diptych, color woodblock prints

Dimensions

Overall: 37.8 x 26.4 cm (14 7/8 x 10 3/8 in.)

Classification

Print

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade