Zee van het noorden 1974

Zee van het noorden (North Sea) is a woodcut print by Japanese artist Ono Tadashige. Though the date of this artwork is unknown, it may be related to his time in the Netherlands. Ono was known for his Sosaku-Hanga prints, a 20th century movement which emphasized the artist's control over all aspects of printmaking. This contrasted with the collaborative approach of the earlier Ukiyo-e style. The print’s muted palette and stark horizontal composition evoke the subdued atmosphere of the North Sea region. The textured sky and water are separated by a band of land, punctuated by vertical lines that suggest structures or posts. The scene conveys a sense of quiet desolation, reflecting the emotional experience of the landscape. Ono's work often oscillates between the traditional and the modern, mirroring a Japan grappling with its identity in a rapidly changing world. Through its abstracted forms and contemplative mood, Zee van het noorden invites us to reflect on the personal and cultural intersections that shape our perception of place.