Henri Rivière
French, 1864–1951

This print reflects the strong influence of Japanese art in late 19th-century Paris, particularly of the woodcuts by Hokusai and Hiroshige. The subtle blending of the colors, suggesting the muted rainy day, was achieved with the expert printing of six separate wood blocks.  The silhouetted figures are reminiscent of Rivière’s designs for the shadow theater in the famous Montmartre café Le Chat Noir (The Black Cat).

 

Color woodcut, 1891
Frederick B. and Kate L. Shoemaker Fund, 2000.48