Europa 

Hideo Hagiwara made this print called 'Europa' using woodcut. It depicts the Greek myth of Europa being abducted by Zeus in the guise of a bull. Woodcut printmaking was popular in Japan, and Hagiwara uses bold lines to create strong contrasts and flatten the image. The artist was a leading figure in the avant-garde Un'ichi group of printmakers in postwar Japan. They used the print medium for their cheapness and ease of production to create a democratic art for the masses, and were influenced by European expressionism and surrealism. Hagiwara's father was the poet Hagiwara Sakutaro. Hagiwara's work references classical myths and explores existential concerns. The artist often returned to themes of eroticism and death and the influence of the West upon Japan. Art historians often draw upon a wide range of sources to interpret their meaning and significance, including the artist's biography and historical context. It's important to think about how the circulation, reproduction and display of art might change its social meaning.