Xu You and Chao Fu 1700 - 1764

This woodblock print, created by Okumura Masanobu between 1700 and 1764, depicts the Chinese legend of Xu You and Chao Fu. In the print, Xu You is shown with a white ox, representing his refusal of the emperor's offer of a position in government, as he chose instead to live in the wilderness. The image features stark contrasts of black and white, conveying the stark choice Xu You faced between wealth and solitude. This print, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a notable example of the ukiyo-e style, known for its evocative storytelling and simplified visual language.