Print 1896 - 1916

This print by Munakata, residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is made using woodblock printing. You can see the artist’s mark in the distinct layering of colors and textures, especially in the subtle gradations of the background. The way the ink bleeds and blends feels incredibly intentional. Look at the figure's uniform, those chevrons are almost glowing. They bring your attention to the weight and the texture of the clothing. See the minute details of the handle of the sword, and how these marks communicate so much about the man himself, his presence, his role, and his purpose. There’s a tension between the flatness of the print and the illusion of depth and form. Munakata's approach to woodblock printing reminds me of Gauguin's woodcuts - that similar focus on bold lines and simplified forms. It is such a unique way of seeing the world, blending craft, observation, and pure imagination.