Een verzameling humoristische gedichten

About this artwork

Purchased with the support of the Vereniging Rembrandt and the Ministerie van Onderwijs, Kunsten en Wetenschappen

Art Historical Context

**Torii Kiyonaga's *Een verzameling humoristische gedichten* (A Collection of Humorous Poems c. 1788–1792** Torii Kiyonaga, a leading master of Japan's ukiyo-e tradition during the Edo period, crafted this charming color woodcut print, measuring a compact 249 × 188 mm. As a prominent figure in the Torii school—renowned for vibrant actor prints and bijin-ga (images of beautiful women)—Kiyonaga brought refined elegance and subtle humor to his works. This piece, likely featuring poetic verses with playful illustrations, exemplifies the "floating world" aesthetic, capturing everyday wit and leisure in late 18th-century Japan. The medium of color woodblock printing was revolutionary, allowing artisans to layer intricate hues from multiple carved blocks for vivid, accessible art. Mass-produced yet exquisitely detailed, these prints democratized culture, adorning homes from merchants to samurai. Kiyonaga's style, with its graceful lines and harmonious compositions, bridged earlier Kamigata influences with Edo dynamism, influencing later masters like Hokusai. Acquired with support from the Vereniging Rembrandt and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Arts and Sciences, this rarity highlights global appreciation for ukiyo-e's blend of poetry, humor, and artistry—offering visitors a window into Japan's vibrant literary and visual heritage.

About the Artist

Torii Kiyonaga · 1752–1815

Torii Kiyonaga, born Sekiguchi Shinsuke in 1752 in Uraga, Sagami Province, was the son of an Edo bookseller who owned tenements near a bustling fish market. At age 14 in 1765, he began his apprenticeship under Torii Kiyomitsu, the third-generation head of the prestigious Torii school of ukiyo-e, renowned for kabuki theater illustrations and signage. Adopted into the Torii family, Kiyonaga succeede...