Chinese Bridge at Seta 1918

This woodblock print, "Chinese Bridge at Seta," by Japanese artist Ito Shinsui (1898–1972) depicts a scene of a bridge spanning a river, with a single boat and a lone figure in the foreground. The scene is bathed in a soft, atmospheric light, and the rain falling from the grey sky creates a sense of tranquility. This print is a fine example of the beauty of Japanese woodblock printing and Shinsui's signature style known as shin-hanga, a revival of traditional Japanese woodblock printing that gained popularity in the early 20th century.