HAMBURG.- A new presentation in the Graphikkabinett shows woodcuts by Itô Jakuchû (1716 – 1800).

The Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe has in its possession a series of 55 woodcuts with plant and animal motifs by the Japanese artist Itô Jakuchû. The prints were created in 1768 as a book and bear the title "Jade flowers in mysterious gardens“. This is a special type of Japanese woodcut (ishizuri-e), in which the motif appears in white against a black background. This way, they imitate Chinese stone-rubbings. Itô Jakuchû is among the most individual and eccentric of Japanese painters. He did not restrict himself to one particular style, but he always preferred birds and plants as his subjects. In this series, the artist combines a realistic depiction of his subject with a highly decorative composition.