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Prints of the 18th century

Prints made in the 18th century, from every museum.

129 works · hang 2318 ·

The rooms are imagined; every work on their walls is real.

Walk this roomRehang this room

Section 1, north wall

  1. The image shows a pheasant with vivid green and blue plumage and intricate golden patterns on its wings. The bird has long, patterned tail feathers extended to the right. The background includes palm trees, rocky outcrops, and distant hills.
    Phasianus VersicolorWilliam Home LizarsCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. Kanagawa, Inland Sea: Top of the Street, by Utagawa Hiroshige, 1797–1858
    Kanagawa, Inland Sea: Top of the StreetUtagawa Hiroshige, 1797–1858Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  3. Net Fishing at Night on the Sumida River, by Kitagawa Utamaro, c. 1800
    Net Fishing at Night on the Sumida RiverKitagawa Utamaro, c. 1800Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Section 1, south wall

  1. This painting depicts a classical architectural scene with a bird and multiple individuals. It is done in the style of Jean-Baptiste Oudry. The image includes a large building with stone columns and stairs. A parrot is perched on a tree, catching attention with its colorful feathers. In the foreground, a person in classical clothing appears to be in motion. In the background, a group of people are gathered with varied expressions and gestures directed towards the person in the foreground. The architectural elements and foliage add depth and context to the scene.
    Les deux perroquets, le roi et son fils (Two Parrots, the King, and His Son)Antoine Radigues, published 1759Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. “Hour of the Rat: Mistress,” from the series Women’s Daily Customs (Fuzoku bijin tokei), by Kitagawa Utamaro, 1790
    “Hour of the Rat: Mistress,” from the series Women’s Daily Customs (Fuzoku bijin tokei)Kitagawa Utamaro, 1790Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. A work made of chiaroscuro woodcut, from three blocks in pink, dark blue, and light blue, on cream laid paper.
    The Old ShepherdConte Antonio Maria Zanetti, the Elder, 1722Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 2, south wall

  1. A work made of hand-colored woodblock print; vertical oban diptych, sumizuri-e.
    The Actor Onoe Kikugoro I holding a puppet of the Actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu IIshikawa Toyonobu, c. 1740sCourtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. A work made of engraved letterhead, pen and ink calligraphy, and graphite ruling on parchment, folded with strap and (missing) seal.
    Recovery Document (Land Title Grant)Unrecorded British maker, 1702/14 (Queen Anne period)Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  3. Kametani Jujiro as the Shirabyoshi Dancer Yuya, by Torii Kiyomitsu, c. early 1760s
    Kametani Jujiro as the Shirabyoshi Dancer YuyaTorii Kiyomitsu, c. early 1760sCourtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Section 2, north wall

  1. A work made of hand-colored woodblock print; toku-oban, urushi-e.
    Courtesan Reading a LetterIshikawa Toyonobu, c. 1745Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. Cherry Blossoms in the Wind, by Utagawa Toyokuni, late 1790s
    Cherry Blossoms in the WindUtagawa Toyokuni, late 1790sCourtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Section 3, north wall

  1. The image depicts a landscape scene from an elevated point of view. The horizon shows distant mountains with smoke rising from the tallest peak. Linear brushstrokes create detailed textures of the rocky landscape, clouds, and birds in the sky. The color palette is monochromatic with earthy tones. Figures are shown engaging in activities near a river, surrounded by trees, rocks, and meadows. Hills lead to mountainous formations on the far horizon, under a cloudy sky with a flock of birds.
    Mountainous Riverscape with FiguresGeorg EisenmannCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. A work made of color woodblock print; oban triptych.
    Young man and his party crossing a stream before Mt. FujiKitagawa Utamaro, c. 1798/1800Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 3, south wall

  1. A work made of color woodblock print.
    Actor Onoe Matsusuke I as Retired Emperor SutokuKatsukawa Shunkо̄, About 1780Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. The image shows an etching of a forest scene with towering trees dominating the upper half. The horizon is not clearly visible due to dense foliage, but a line of trees and rocky outcrops in the distance provide a boundary. The fine lines and cross-hatching technique create detailed textures in the tree bark and foliage. The color palette is monochromatic, in shades of black and white emphasizing light and shadow. A large tree with a partially hollow trunk and figures scattered throughout the scene give a sense of scale and activity within the forest setting.
    Wooded Landscape with a Nymph and a SatyrSalomon Gessner, 1764Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. A work made of color woodblock print; oban.
    Three Beauties of Our Time (Tosei san bijin)Chokosai Eisho, n.d.Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago