Japanese Painters of the Edo Period (1603-1867)

The Edo period saw the emergence of more middle classmen in Japan towards the 18th century. At the same time, people had a clamor for art. Thus the woodblock printing art, Ukiyo-e, emerged to answer this need. People could now afford an art piece that costs less.

Literally meaning -images (pictures) of the floating realm (world), the Ukiyo-e paintings produced were very surreal.

Artworks of famous Ukiyo-e print makers made it to the West. Many western painters which include Degas and Whistler have been inspired by these Japanese arts.

Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) was famous for his works which include “Manga” or “Ten Thousand Sketches” and “Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji”.

Ando Hiroshige (1797–1858) was popularized by his artwork called “Fifty-three Stages of the Tokaido Highway”. He specialized in landscape art and nature.

Kitagawa Utamaro (1753–1806) specialized in drawing women. During the reign of the Tokugawa government, his works were unaccepted and were banned. However, his works were sought after by the Dutch and thus reached the west were he became more popular.

Kiyonaga (1752–1815) is best-known for his depiction of women, painting them in powerful poses, as warriors. 

Suzuki Harunobu (1724–1770) painted lifestyle art, graceful young girls and actors.