Japanese Woodblock Prints

In the 18th century, a new art form emerged in Japan: the woodblock print. It became widespread, formed an integral part of urban entertainment culture and depicted popular subjects such as stage stars, beauties and landscapes.

The collection of the Bavarian State Library contains Japanese color woodblock prints from three centuries: from the beginnings of multicolor printing in the mid-18th century to shin-hanga, the so-called 'new prints' of the 20th century. It thus covers the entire spectrum of color-printed woodblock prints: illustrated books, rare triptychs or iconic single-sheet prints such as Katsushika Hokusai's (1760-1849) 'Under the Wave in the Sea off Kanagawa', known as the 'Great Wave'.

What distinguishes the Japanese woodblock print is the combination of artistic excellence and craftsmanship. Originating as commercial art and produced in large numbers, many prints are now regarded as works of art of the highest order. Works by artists such as Kitagawa Utamaro (around 1753-1806), Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) and Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) reveal the special stylistic features and diverse cultural and historical references that characterize this art form. A total of around 12,000 images from almost 300 signatures are currently on display (as of July 2024).