Souvenirs Covered with Wrapping Cloth
probably 1816
Medium
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
5 1/2 x 7 3/8 in. (14 x 18.7 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Accession Number
JP2189
Art Historical Context
This delicate woodblock print, *Souvenirs Covered with Wrapping Cloth*, created by an unidentified artist around 1816, exemplifies the refined artistry of Japan's Edo period (1615–1868). Measuring just 5½ × 7⅜ inches, its intimate scale invites close viewing, revealing the subtle interplay of ink and color on paper. Produced during a time when ukiyo-e prints flourished, capturing everyday beauty and ephemera, this work reflects the era's fascination with transient pleasures and meticulous craftsmanship. As a *surimono*—a luxurious, privately commissioned print often made for special occasions...