Japanese+Woodcuts

The Ukiyo-e genre of Japanese woodcut prints were produced between the 17th and 20th centuries.

Many have a complete balance of positive and negative space.

Notable Ukiyo-e artists:
Hiroshige Hokusai

Van Gogh and Japan
Vincent Van Gogh had much admiration for Japanese woodcuts. He said in a letter to his brother Theo, "I envy the Japanese for the enormous clarity that pervades their work. It is never dull and never seems to have been made in haste. Their work is as simple as breathing and they draw a figure with a few well-chosen lines with the same ease, as effortless as buttoning up one's waistcoat ...."

Click here to see work by Hiroshige and Van Gogh side by side.