Bull-headed Shrike and Bluebird with Saxifrage and Wild Strawberry - Katsushika Hokusai
Archival giclée
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Description
A delicate kacho-ga woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai, featuring a bull-headed shrike and bluebird amidst wild strawberry and saxifrage.
This woodblock print belongs to a series of kacho-ga, or bird-and-flower pictures, produced by Katsushika Hokusai during the 1830s. The composition features a bull-headed shrike in flight above a bluebird, which descends toward a cluster of saxifrage and wild strawberry plants. Hokusai employs a balanced arrangement, allowing the negative space of the paper to provide a sense of air and movement around the avian subjects.
The print demonstrates the technical precision of the Edo-period woodblock process. The colour palette remains restrained, relying on soft greens, muted pinks, and subtle blue gradients at the top of the frame to suggest the sky. The calligraphic lines defining the feathers and the veins of the leaves show the artist's mastery of the brush, which was then transferred to the cherry wood blocks by skilled carvers. The inclusion of Japanese text, identifying the species depicted, aligns with the educational and aesthetic goals of the kacho-ga genre, which sought to document the natural world with both accuracy and artistic grace.
Unlike the more dramatic, large-scale compositions found in his famous series of views of Mount Fuji, this work focuses on the quiet observation of nature. The interaction between the birds and the flora is captured in a moment of stillness, despite the implied motion of the shrike. The print reflects the broader interest in botanical and ornithological study that permeated Japanese art during this period. It serves as an example of the collaborative nature of ukiyo-e production, where the artist, carver, and printer worked in concert to achieve the final result. The paper texture and the subtle application of pigment remain characteristic of high-quality impressions from this era, offering a glimpse into the refined aesthetic preferences of the nineteenth-century Japanese public.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Bull-headed Shrike and Bluebird with Saxifrage and Wild Strawberry - Katsushika Hokusai
Artist Biography
Katsushika Hokusai
Throughout his prolific career, Hokusai produced thousands of prints, sketches and illustrated books. He continually reinvented his style and identity, even adopting over 30 different artist names as his work evolved. His bold compositions, innovative use of perspective and striking colour palettes redefined Japanese printmaking. Hokusai's famed series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji showcases not just technical mastery, but a spiritual reverence for landscape and everyday life. His work depicted everything from serene rural scenes to mythological creatures and bustling cityscapes.
Hokusai's legacy transcended Japan, profoundly shaping Western art during the 19th century through the movement known as Japonisme. Artists like Monet, Van Gogh and Whistler drew direct inspiration from his compositions and sensibilities. Today, Hokusai is celebrated not only as one of Japan’s greatest artists, but as a bridge between Eastern and Western visual culture. His art continues to captivate modern audiences with its fluid lines, narrative depth and timeless exploration of the human connection to nature.
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