Mother with Child
after Utamaro’s Hour of the Rat

Mother with Child after Utamaro's Hour of the Rat -size reference-

It is said that images of a woman with a child in Japanese arts come from images of Mary and baby Jesus, but I have hard time believing in it, especially when it comes to Ukiyo-e. In Ukiyo-e we observe moments of everyday life, mostly in Yoshiwara,  and this is such a view. In original view, print is in portrait form, showing mother/mistress/courtesan coming out of mosquito net, trying to get a baby to pee.

On MFA website, the administrators posted this print in horizontal form, by mistake, and I guess this was because he interpreted the view as a mother playing with her child. With a few small changes to original design I tried to recreate that vision.

Technique: acrylic on canvas

Size: 120 x 177 cm (47.24 x 69.68 inch)

Year: October 2011

Availability: In Private Collection


100 Views of Ukiyo-e

During my exploration of the beginning of modern art (Impressionism and Post-Impressionism) I found myself surrounded by beautiful views of Ukiyo-e prints. They were my explanation to everything: modern/contemporary painting, design, illustration, comics and animation. Even more, I had to tell that to everyone. Firstly, I did impressions/interpretations of famous works of Hiroshige and Hokusai, but I couldn´t stop there… I finally found my call.100 Views of Ukiyo-e is my life mission to re-create new originals of selected 100 Ukiyo-e prints, new original painting in new oban size. It is divided in 4 Volumes of 25 canvases, some of the forming diptychs or triptychs. So far I have finished the first set that introduces several masters, styles and topics.

A review by Amalija Stojsavljević, art historian can be read here.


Volume I – Masters

The First Volume of series of paintings of the 100 Views of Ukiyo-e. This initial set was a practical part of my magistrate thesis in Arts at Academy of Fine Arts, Sarajevo. I tried to introduce great masters of Ukiyo-e, specific styles and topics from its begging to the end.

100 Views of Ukiyo-e, Volume I: Masters Exhibition Catalogue for Web