Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Self-Portrait

About the Artist

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese: 歌川 国芳, 1798 – 1861) was one of the last great masters of the Japanese ukiyo-e style of woodblock prints and painting. He was a member of the Utagawa school.

The range of Kuniyoshi's subjects included many genres: landscapes, women, Kabuki actors, cats, and mythical animals. He is known for depictions of the battles of legendary samurai heroes. His artwork incorporated aspects of Western representation in landscape painting and caricature.