Gosotei Toyokuni II (Japanese, 1802–1835). <em>Beauties of the Latest Fashion Compared with the Beauty of Flowers (Tosei Bijin), from Flower Playing Cards (Hana-awase)</em>, ca. 1830–35. Woodblock print, 15 1/4 x 10 1/2 in. (38.7 x 26.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 76.151.14 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 76.151.14_print_IMLS_SL2.jpg)

Gosotei Toyokuni II (Japanese, 1802–1835). Beauties of the Latest Fashion Compared with the Beauty of Flowers (Tosei Bijin), from Flower Playing Cards (Hana-awase), ca. 1830–35. Woodblock print, 15 1/4 x 10 1/2 in. (38.7 x 26.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 76.151.14 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 76.151.14_print_IMLS_SL2.jpg)

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So the red stamps on the prints are ownership marks?

Typically the marks in red are the artist's seal. Publisher and censor marks would also appear on prints, but tend not to be red.

What exactly is Prussian Blue? The notes say simply that it's a synthetic pigment. Do you know any more about it?

Prussian blue is a synthetic pigment that is smoother and more well suited to printmaking than plant and mineral dyes.

Cool. That's why this print looks so rich and detailed. I love the depth of color

Yes, so did Japanese printmakers like Toyokuni II, Hokusai, and Hiroshige!

I'm sure it was very inspiring to have materials like this to work with.

Monochromatic blue Aizuri-e prints like this were a common form of ukiyo-e print.

The Berlin blue, or Prussian blue, while it was developed in the first decade of the 18th century in Germany, entered the Asian market by the mid 18th century. It took until the 1820s for the price to go down, and the material to become more affordable. That's when it became practical for prints!

Beauties of the Latest Fashion Compared with the Beauty of Flowers (Tosei Bijin), from Flower Playing Cards (Hana-awase)

Gosotei Toyokuni II

Asian Art

ARTIST Gosotei Toyokuni II, Japanese, 1802–1835

MEDIUM Woodblock print

Place Made: Japan

DATES ca. 1830–35

PERIOD Edo Period

DIMENSIONS 15 1/4 x 10 1/2 in. (38.7 x 26.7 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS Publisher's seal. Censor seal: Kiwame

SIGNATURE Artist's signature: Toyokuni ga.

COLLECTIONS Asian Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 76.151.14

CREDIT LINE Anonymous gift

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Woman, dressed in kimono with bat design and obi sash of eggplant and vines, stands before a maiden flower bush with a tobacco pipe in her hand. Condition: Small tear at top left. Needs to be remounted.

EXHIBITIONS

Utagawa: Masters of the Japanese Print, 1770–1900

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Gosotei Toyokuni II (Japanese, 1802–1835). Beauties of the Latest Fashion Compared with the Beauty of Flowers (Tosei Bijin), from Flower Playing Cards (Hana-awase), ca. 1830–35. Woodblock print, 15 1/4 x 10 1/2 in. (38.7 x 26.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 76.151.14 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 76.151.14_print_IMLS_SL2.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 76.151.14_print_IMLS_SL2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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