Snow on the Sumida River, from the series, Snow, Moon, and Flowers
c. 1833
Medium
Color woodblock print
Dimensions
24.9 × 37.3 cm (9 13/16 × 14 11/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
32267
Art Historical Context
Nestled within the poetic series *Snow, Moon, and*, *Snow on the Sumida* (c. 1833) captures a serene winter moment along one of Edo-period Tokyo's most iconic waterways. This color woodblock print, measuring 24.9 × 37.3 cm, depicts a hushed landscape blanketed in snow, evoking the beauty of nature—a core theme of Japanese aesthetics. The series draws from the traditional "Three Friends of Winter" motif (snow, moon, and flowers), symbolizing purity, enlightenment, and fleeting elegance, which resonated deeply in 19th-century urban culture. Produced during Japan's Edo period (1603–1868), when w...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...