Lang leve het grote keizerlijke Japan! Afbeelding van de grote overwinning te Pyongyang.

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2760

Art Historical Context

Behold *Lang leve het grote keizerlijke Japan! Afbeelding van de grote overwinning te Pyongyang* (Long live the great imperial Japan! Image of the great victory at Pyongyang), a vibrant color woodcut by Japanese artist Mizuno Toshikata, created in September 1894. Measuring 360mm high by 720mm wide, this horizontal *ōban* print exemplifies the ukiyo-e tradition of multi-block woodblock printing, where separate blocks were carved for each color, allowing for bold, layered hues that captured the excitement of the moment. Produced during the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895), the artwork celebrates Japan's decisive victory at the Battle of Pyongyang on September 15, 1894—a pivotal early triumph that boosted national morale and shifted East Asian power dynamics. Toshikata, a master of *sōsaku hanga* (creative prints), specialized in war-themed *shinbun nishiki-e* (newspaper brocade pictures), blending dynamic battle scenes with patriotic fervor to rally public support for imperial expansion. This piece not only showcases Toshikata's skillful composition—crowded with soldiers, banners, and triumphant energy—but also reflects Meiji-era propaganda art's cultural role in fostering unity. Bearing a collector's mark (Lugt 2760) on the verso, it offers a tangible glimpse into late 19th-century Japan's artistic response to modernity and conflict.