Hanga
The Sky is Aflame by Hideo Hagiwara — Japanese Woodblock print, ink and color on paper with mica, 1981–86

The Sky is Aflame

by Hideo Hagiwara

Sōsaku-hanga
LandscapesMount FujiAbstract
Date:
1981–86
Medium:
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper with mica
Dimensions:
34.5 × 46.4 cm
Edition:
Self-printed

Description

The Sky is Aflame (1981–86) — with mica incorporated into the ink and color on paper surface — renders a sky of extraordinary chromatic intensity, the red and orange of the dawn or sunset sky given physical presence through the metallic particles embedded in the print's surface. The mica's glitter within the aflame sky created a literal correspondence between the cosmic light of the blazing sky and the earthly light of the reflected metallic surface, the print's material reality enacting the visual experience it depicted. Among Hagiwara's most dramatically coloristic compositions.

More Prints by Hideo Hagiwara

Play Ground (2) by Hideo Hagiwara

Play Ground (2)

Mask O by Hideo Hagiwara

Mask O

1950

Print

Sunset Glow at Ishiyama by Hideo Hagiwara

Sunset Glow at Ishiyama

Woodblock print

Soil (3) (Dojo [3]), Damp Zone (Shitchitai) by Hideo Hagiwara

Soil (3) (Dojo [3]), Damp Zone (Shitchitai)

More Landscapes Prints

Lake Kugushi in Wakasa Province (Wakasa Kugushiko), from the series Souvenirs of Travel I (Tabi miyage dai isshu)" by Kawase Hasui

Lake Kugushi in Wakasa Province (Wakasa Kugushiko), from the series Souvenirs of Travel I (Tabi miyage dai isshu)"

Wakasa Kugushiko

1920

Color woodblock print; oban

Autumn Maple Leaves at Takao, from the album Eight Views of Kyoto (Kyôto hakkei) by Insho Domoto

Autumn Maple Leaves at Takao, from the album Eight Views of Kyoto (Kyôto hakkei)

Woodblock print

The Beach at Kaiganji in Sanuki Province (Sanuki Kaiganji no hama), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition (Nihon fukei shu II Kansai hen)" by Kawase Hasui

The Beach at Kaiganji in Sanuki Province (Sanuki Kaiganji no hama), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition (Nihon fukei shu II Kansai hen)"

1934

Color woodblock print; oban

Tea Kettle, section of a sheet from the series "Mirror of Stone Rubbings of Views of the Provinces" (Kohon meihitsu ishizuri kagami) by Utagawa Hiroshige

Tea Kettle, section of a sheet from the series "Mirror of Stone Rubbings of Views of the Provinces" (Kohon meihitsu ishizuri kagami)

n.d.

Woodblock print; ishizuri-e, section of harimaze sheet

Featured in Collections

Curated cross-cuts that include this print.

Mount Fuji in Japanese Woodblock PrintsSōsaku-Hanga: The Creative-Print MovementMeisho-e: Famous-Place Prints

Frequently Asked Questions

The Sky is Aflame was created by Hideo Hagiwara (萩原英雄) in 1981–86.

The Sky is Aflame depicts landscapes, mount fuji, and abstract.

The Sky is Aflame measures 34.5 × 46.4 cm.