Meerval en vijf forellen

About this artwork

Gift of the Rijksmuseum-Stichting

Art Historical Context

**Meerval en vijf forellenCatfish and Five Trout *Utagawa Kuniy, 1835–1840* *Nishiki-e (full-color woodblock print), 377 × 128 mm* Utagawa Kuniyoshi whimsical *Meerval en vijf fore*, a masterful nishiki-e woodblock from Japan's Edo period. Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), leading ukiyo-e, was renowned for his dynamic warrior scenes, fantastical cats, and playful depictions of nature. This tall, narrow *ōban* format captures a lively underwater tableau of a catfish amid five trout, rendered with vibrant colors achieved through nishiki-e's innovative technique—multiple woodblocks inked in precise hues like brocade silk, a pinnacle of 19th-century Japanese printmaking. Created during the Tenpō era (1830–1844), amid strict censorship on actor and courtesan prints, Kuniyoshi turned to imaginative subjects like animals and fish, evading restrictions while showcasing his bold lines and expressive forms. Fish motifs held cultural resonance in Japan, symbolizing abundance and the New Year, often featured in poetic still lifes or humorous narratives. This print exemplifies ukiyo-e's "floating world" ethos—ephemeral beauty blending realism with fantasy. A generous gift to the Rijksmuseum from the Rijksmuseum-Stichting, it invites viewers to ponder the catfish's predatory gaze among the trout, a snapshot of nature's drama frozen in enduring color. Kuniyoshi's genius lies in transforming everyday sea life into captivating art, bridging Japan's artistic golden age with global audiences today.

About the Artist

Utagawa Kuniyoshi · 1797–1861

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) was born in Edo to the silk-dyer Yanagiya Kichiyemon, originally bearing the childhood name Yoshisaburō. From a young age, he assisted in his family's pattern design work, which sharpened his innate mastery of color and textile motifs that would permeate his later prints. At around twelve years old, his prodigious drawing skills drew the attention of the renowned Utag...