It will feature rarely seen Japanese Ukiyo-e prints alongside much-loved paintings from York Art Gallery’s collection.
The display will be part of a new Spotlight Series, celebrating the reopening of York Art Gallery next month.
‘Pictures of the Floating World: Japanese Ukiyo-e Prints’ is set to open on Friday, 28 May 2021.
It will feature prints by prominent Ukiyo-e artists such as Utagawa Hiroshige, along with works by those influenced by Japanese art, such as Albert Moore and Walter Greaves.
The display will highlight the significant impact of Japanese art on the western world and the consequential rise of artistic movements such as Aestheticism and Art Nouveau.
(R) View of Mount Hatana in Kozuke Province, 1853, Utagawa Hiroshige.
Images courtesy of York Museums Trust.
Jenny Alexander, associate collections curator at York Art Gallery, said: “We’re thrilled to introduce this new Spotlight Series at York Art Gallery. The designated space will allow us to share a variety of works from our collection, starting with a selection of beautiful Japanese Ukiyo-e prints.
“Some of these works have not been displayed in over 15 years, so we are thrilled that many visitors will be able to enjoy them for the first time.”
This display will be free to visit.
Ukiyo-e translates as “pictures of the floating world”, and refers to the transitory nature of life – a theme that will surely resonate with a lot of us at this current time.
The prints will depict scenes celebrating everyday life through landscape, travel, actors, courtesans, folk tales, and more.
For more information, please visit the York Art Gallery website.