Ayame (Iris)
1929
Usually famous for moody, rain-swept landscapes, Kawase Hasui decided to burst into vibrant color with this lush field of irises. Created in 1929, this woodblock print is a visual feast featuring deep indigo, rich maroon, and crisp white flowers tumbling over each other among sharp, sword-like green leaves. It represents the modernist Shin-hanga movement, which breathed new life into traditional Japanese printing for a contemporary audience. While Hasui is the master of quiet atmosphere, here he captures the wild, chaotic energy of a garden in full bloom, proving he could handle bright, bold subjects just as masterfully as a snowy night.
- Technique
- woodblock print
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