Haan en kip - Matsuki Heikichi

A refined woodblock print by Matsuki Heikichi featuring a rooster and hen, executed with the subtle colour gradients and precise lines of the Shin-hanga style.

This woodblock print by Matsuki Heikichi depicts a rooster and a hen, rendered with the technical precision characteristic of the Shin-hanga movement. The composition focuses on the contrast between the two birds: the rooster stands tall with white plumage and a prominent red comb, while the hen, positioned lower, displays darker, muted feathers. The background is a soft, neutral grey, which allows the forms of the birds to emerge clearly without the need for complex spatial depth.

Matsuki Heikichi was a publisher and artist active during the transition into the twentieth century. His work often reflects the traditional Japanese interest in kacho-ga, or bird-and-flower painting, which prioritises the observation of nature. The print employs subtle gradations of colour, particularly in the grey wash of the background, which provides a calm atmosphere. The bamboo stalks in the background are sketched with minimal detail, serving as a secondary element that frames the primary subjects.

The line work is controlled and deliberate, defining the texture of the feathers and the structure of the birds. The red of the combs provides the only significant break in the otherwise restrained palette. This print demonstrates the technical skill involved in woodblock printing, where each colour area requires a separate block to achieve the final image. The result is a balanced, quiet study of domestic fowl, typical of the period's aesthetic preferences for naturalistic yet stylised animal portraiture. It avoids unnecessary ornamentation, keeping the viewer's attention fixed on the interaction between the two birds. The print is an example of the collaborative nature of the Japanese print industry, where the publisher often played a direct role in the artistic direction of the final output.