Flower Vendors c. 1818 - 1829

print, ink, color-on-paper

print

etching

japan

personal sketchbook

ink

color-on-paper

ink drawing experimentation

ink colored

sketchbook drawing

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

sketchbook art

botanical art

watercolor

"Flower Vendors" is a woodblock print created by Matsumura Keibun, a prominent Japanese artist, sometime between 1818 and 1829. The artwork, now housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, depicts two vendors selling flowers and greenery from a portable stand and a basket. The scene provides a glimpse into the everyday life of Edo-era Japan, showcasing the vibrant street markets and the traditional attire of the period. Keibun's intricate details and use of color bring the scene to life, offering a captivating look into the culture and commerce of his time.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Matsumura Keibun, one of the leading artists of the Shijø school, lived his whole life in Kyoto and spent the better part of it in the Shijø district, after which the group took its name. Located in the city center and containing the pleasure quarter Gion, Shijø was a flourishing amusement area. The district was known for its fashionable restaurants and teahouses frequented by artists and poets. The poetry society that commissioned Keibun to design this print may have had their New Year's gathering in one of these popular establishments. This print shows an itinerant flower vendor and his assistant. Included among their offerings are camellia, nandin, and gleichenia fern, all typically used in the New Year's decorations. Thus, Keibun tastefully conveys a sense of the season in this charming image.