Twee vrouwen en een jongetje bij komfoor

About this artwork

Een surimono is een luxe uitgevoerde prent waarop beeld met één of meerdere gedichten gecombineerd is. Bij het drukken van een surimono werd vaak gebruik gemaakt van dikker papier, blinddruk en metaal pigmenten, zoals koper- en zilverpoeder. De prenten werden vaak in opdracht van dichters gemaakt en als exclusief geschenk aan vrienden en relaties gegeven.

Art Historical Context

**Twee vrouwen en eengetje bij komfo** (Two Women and a Boy at a Brazier), created by the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hai in 1816, captures a cozy winter moment in everyday life. This intimate color woodcut, measuring just 191 × 183 mm, depicts two women a young boy gathered around a portable brazier, evoking the warmth of domesticity amid Japan's chilly season. Hokusai, a master of ukiyo—the "pictures of the floating world"—excelled in blending precise observation with poetic elegance, influencing global art from Impressionism to modern prints. What sets this piece apart is its status as a *surimono*, a luxurious private print commissioned by poets and given as exclusive New Year's gifts to friends. Unlike mass-produced ukiyo-e, surimono employed premium techniques: thicker, hand-made paper; blind printing (embossing) for textured effects; and shimmering metal pigments like copper and silver powders, adding a jewel-like opulence. Often pairing imagery with inscribed poems, these prints celebrated literati culture during Japan's Edo period (1603–1868), blending visual artistry with verbal wit. This diminutive treasure highlights Hokusai's versatility beyond his famous waves and Mount Fuji, showcasing his skill in intimate genre scenes. A window into refined 19th-century Japanese social life, it reminds us how art bridged poetry, craftsmanship, and personal connection. (198 words)

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...