Natane Flower
19th century
Medium
Part of an album of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
8 3/8 x 5 1/2 in. (21.3 x 14 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Accession Number
JP2258
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled within an exquisite album of woodblock prints, *Natane Flower* captures the ephemeral beauty of blooming rapeseed flowers and their lush leaves, rendered in vibrant ink and color on paper. Created by an unidentified artist during Japan's Edo period (1615–8), specifically in the 19th, this intimate print measures just 8 3/8 x 5 1/2 inches, close contemplation. As a *surimono*—a luxurious, privately commissioned woodblock print often produced for New Year's greetings or poetic gatherings—it exemplifies the refined artistry of ukiyo-e traditions, blending technical precision with seasonal...