Russian Horseman 1860

Utagawa Yoshitomi created this woodblock print titled, “Russian Horseman," now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Notice how Yoshitomi employs a flat perspective, typical of ukiyo-e prints. This technique compresses depth, emphasizing the surface and decorative qualities of the artwork. The horse and rider are rendered with bold outlines and flat planes of color, reducing the figures to simplified forms. The muted palette enhances the print’s graphic impact. The composition is divided into distinct zones of text and image which work together to balance the visual field. Yoshitomi destabilizes traditional Japanese representations by incorporating foreign subject matter and Western-style military attire. By blending Japanese printmaking techniques with depictions of Russian figures, he creates a hybrid visual language that reflects Japan’s engagement with global modernity. Consider how the formal elements of this print challenge fixed meanings and celebrate the dynamic interplay of artistic and cultural influences.