The artwork titled “Wanting to See the Early Blooming,” created by Utagawa Kuniyoshi in 1852, is a woodblock print belonging to the Ukiyo-e art movement. Measuring 37 x 25 cm, it falls within the bijinga genre and is a part of the “Celebrated Products of Mountains and Seas” series. Currently housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the artwork exemplifies the intricate and evocative aesthetic of this artistic period.
In the artwork, a contemplative woman is depicted in the foreground, dressed in traditional Japanese attire with a vibrant yet subtle color palette emphasizing blues and reds. Her serene posture, with her chin resting on her hand, suggests a sense of longing or contemplation, fitting the artwork’s title. Surrounding her are delicate cherry blossoms, signaling an anticipation for the early springtime bloom. In the background, men are engaged in laborious activities amidst a mountainous landscape, adding a contrasting dynamic to the tranquil presence of the woman. The juxtaposition of restful contemplation and industrious endeavor, characteristic of many Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, offers a deep and textured narrative within the visual simplicity.
