Who created "The Roles Reversed, no. 12 from a series of 12 prints"?

The Roles Reversed, no. 12 from a series of 12 prints was created by Okumura Masanobu in c. 1708.

What medium is "The Roles Reversed, no. 12 from a series of 12 prints"?

The Roles Reversed, no. 12 from a series of 12 prints is Woodblock print; oban, sumizuri-e.

Is "The Roles Reversed, no. 12 from a series of 12 prints" in the public domain?

Yes, The Roles Reversed, no. 12 from a series of 12 prints is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

The Roles Reversed, no. 12 from a series of 12 prints

Q: When was "The Roles Reversed, no. 12 from a series of 12 prints" created?

This artwork was created c. 1708.

Okumura Masanobu

c. 1708

Medium

Woodblock print; oban, sumizuri-e

Dimensions

26.8 × 37.9 cm (10 9/16 × 14 15/16 in.)

Classification

woodblock print

Department

Arts of Asia

Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

Accession Number

19543

Art Historical Context

Okumura Masanobu's *The Roles Reversed, no. 12* (c. 1708) is a captivating woodblock print from a series of 12, showcasing the playful spirit of early Edo-period Japan. Printed in the oban format—measuring about 27 × 38 cm—this sumizuri-e (ink-printed picture) employs bold black lines on white paper, a technique that predates the vibrant multicolored ukiyo-e prints for which Japan later became famous. Masanobu a pioneering artist and publisher active in Tokyo (then Edo), helped popularize single-sheet prints affordable to the rising merchant class. The title hints at whimsical role reversals,...

About the Artist

Okumura Masanobu · 1686–1764

Japanese, 1686–1764

The Roles Reversed, no. 12 from a series of 12 prints

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