Travellers Viewing a Rainbow at Surugadai, from the series Famous Views of the Eastern Capital
Artist/Maker
Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川国芳
(Japanese, 1797–1861)
Date1832–33
MediumColor woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
DimensionsHorizontal ōban; overall: 10 3/16 × 14 15/16 in. (25.8 × 37.9 cm)
Credit LineMary A. Ainsworth Bequest
PortfolioFamous Views of the Eastern Capital (Toto meisho)
Object number1950.532
Status
Not on viewThe rain has lifted and a stunning rainbow stretches across a valley. A samurai in informal dress gazes with a hand lifted to his brow while his attendant points at the rainbow. Beyond, a man can be seen walking toward them with an opened umbrella at his side as though a shower of rain has just stopped. Kuniyoshi’s shading and modeling of form, as seen in the trees and the men’s clothing, as well as the strong sense of distances created through perspective, show an interest in Western-style expression.
ProvenanceMary A. Ainsworth; by bequest 1950 to Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OHExhibition History
Japanese Prints from the Ainsworth Collection
- Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (September 18, 1979 - October 21, 1979 )
Ukiyo-e Prints from the Mary Ainsworth Collection
- Chiba City Museum of Art, Chiba, Japan (April 13, 2019 - May 25, 2019 )
- Shizuoka City Museum of Art, Shizuoka, Japan (June 8, 2019 - July 28, 2019 )
- Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Osaka, Japan (August 10, 2019 - September 29, 2019 )
Ukiyo-e Prints from the Mary Ainsworth Collection
- Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (January 14, 2020 - December 6, 2020 )
Collections
- Asian
The AMAM continually researches its collection and updates its records with new findings.
We welcome additional information and suggestions for improvement. Please email us at AMAMcurator@oberlin.edu.
We welcome additional information and suggestions for improvement. Please email us at AMAMcurator@oberlin.edu.