The artwork entitled “Four women working very hard and carrying vats of water,” created by the eminent artist Katsushika Hokusai, belongs to the Ukiyo-e art movement and is classified under the genre of genre painting. The artwork captures an everyday scene, depicting four women engaged in the strenuous task of carrying vats of water, highlighting the toils of daily life.
In the composition, the women are portrayed in intricate detail, each bearing a yoke across their shoulders with heavy wooden vats suspended from either side. The intricacy of their garments, expressions, and movements are rendered with a delicate yet deliberate touch, characteristic of Hokusai’s mastery. The background features a natural landscape with trees and hills that complement the central activity. The depiction is both dynamic and engaging, reflecting the communal efforts and strong human spirit against the backdrop of nature, a testament to the resilience and industriousness of the depicted figures.
