Katsushika Taito Ii

Place: Edo

Biography:

Taito II was a prolific illustrator born in Edo to a samurai family from Kyushu. He began his artistic education under the great Hokusai, who bestowed his own go 'Taito' onto him in 1819. Taito II is best known for his woodblock print 'Carp and Water Weeds', considered one of the finest and most renowned fish print designs of the Edo period. He also produced a series of prints titled 'Five Annual Festivals for the Katsushika Ciricle' in 1822, and a print titled 'Monkey bridge' around 1830-1844. Taito II was instrumental in developing ukiyo-e from a style of portraiture largely focused on courtesans and actors into a much broader style of art that focused on landscapes, plants, and animals.