Kralen van kwarts met een tasje van brokaat

About this artwork

Een tasje gedecoreerd met gebloemd brokaat aan de buitenkant en met bloemen in blinddruk aan de binnenkant. Met één gedicht. Een kopie uit de jaren 1890.

Art Historical Context

Behold the delicate charm of *Kralen van kwarts met een tasje brokaat* (Quartz Beads with Brocade Pouch), color woodcut attributed to the legendary Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. Hokusai, a master of the ukiyo-e tradition, passed away in 1849, this intimate print—measuring just 193 × 174 mm—is a copy from the 1890s, preserving his exquisite style during Japan's Meiji era. It captures quartz beads alongside a luxurious pouch, its exterior adorned with intricate floral brocade patterns that evoke the opulence of Edo-period textiles. Hokusai's genius shines in the artwork's technical virtuosity. The color woodcut medium, a hallmark of ukiyo-e, allowed for vibrant hues and precise layering. Here, the pouch's interior features flowers rendered in blinddruk (embossed printing without ink), creating a tactile, three-dimensional effect that invites viewers to imagine its silken texture. A single poem adds poetic elegance, a nod to surimono—limited-edition prints often commissioned for special occasions like New Year's greetings. This piece highlights Hokusai's enduring influence, bridging traditional Japanese aesthetics with later reproductions that kept ukiyo-e alive amid modernization. Its small scale and lavish details remind us of art's power to celebrate everyday luxury, offering a window into a world of refined beauty.

About the Artist

Katsushika Hokusai · 1760–1849

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) stands as one of history's most influential artists, a Japanese master who revolutionized the ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition and profoundly shaped Western art. Born in the Katsushika district of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to an artisan family, Hokusai lived through nearly nine decades of extraordinary creative evolution, adopting over thirty different artistic names t...