Ukiyo-e Noir — The Nocturnal World of Woodblock Prints
Night in Japan washes away the modern world, allowing us to step back into a vanished era. After dark come furtive mysteries -- a forbidden romance, a vicious crime, secrets to be revealed by a flash of lightning or a passing lantern. It brings moments of joyous celebration and moments of quiet solitude, beautiful dreams and frightening nightmares.
“Ukiyo-e Noir: The Nocturnal World of Woodblock Prints” transports us to Edo times and the early 20th Century to glimpse nighttime Japan as it once was. Great artists like Torii Kiyonaga, Utagawa Hiroshige and Kawase Hasui all embraced woodblock printing techniques that captured night and its enduring sense of wonder. Those masters are all highlighted in this show, along with many others.
With examples ranging from the early days of Ukiyo-e to the sunset of Shin Hanga, the exhibition showcases landscapes, warriors, Kabuki actors, beautiful women and more.
Art of Ukiyoe invites you to step into this world, and experience all the joy and fear and contrasts of light and dark that occurred when some of the greatest artists of all time blew out the candle and surrendered to the dark.