Two Horses Under Cherry Trees

Artist Okumura Masanobu 奥村政信 (Japanese, 1686–1764)

Dateabout 1735

MediumWoodblock print; ink on paper; beni-e, urushi-e (hand-colored "lacquer print")

Dimensionshoso-e: 32.8 x 15.2 cm (12 15/16 x 6 in.)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineJohn Chandler Bancroft Collection

Terms

Object number1901.320

DescriptionHosoban; Two horses stand beneath a blossoming cherry tree beside a brook. The black horse lifts its head to look at the tree; the brown one bends down to graze.
Label TextTwo horses stand beneath a blossoming cherry tree beside a brook. The black horse lifts its head to look at the tree; the brown one bends down to graze. This work exemplifies Masaobu's early urushi-e, or “lacquer pictures.” To create such images, ink is mixed with animal-based nikawa glue to create a lustrous, lacquer-like effect, often used to enhance bold, black lines or dark compositional elements like shadows. While it had been used in painting and ceramics for centuries, Masanobu is believed to have been among the first—if not the first—to adapt it to print. Through urushi-e, Masanobu demonstrated his prowess at using the “singing line,” a quality in Japanese prints that can be summarized as a lyrical effect using printmaking materials. Additionally, this prints are notable for their “wide pillar” format, which indicates the influence of Chinese paintings imported to Japan.

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