An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Operating on Guan Yu's Arm1840s
Katsushika Ōi
Artist Ōi was Hokusai's third daughter, and perhaps his most devoted student and a superb talent in her own right.
Ukiyo-e artists’ subject matter extended to popular literature. Katsushika Ōi used color to great effect in her gruesome version of an episode from a 14th-century Chinese novel, <em>Romance of the Three Kingdoms.</em> Ōi portrayed the passage in which legendary 3rd-century military leader Guan Yu undergoes a bone scraping to remove poisons received from an arrow wound. In this sensationalist portrayal, Guan Yu’s attendants cower at the sight of his bloody arm while he remains unflinchingly focused on his game. As a woman, Ōi was an outlier in her era, but her talent was allowed to shine due to collaboration with her father, Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), the famed designer of the print known as <em>The</em> <em>Great Wave</em>.
This is the largest surviving painting by the artist.
hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk
Mounted: 206.7 x 73.1 cm (81 3/8 x 28 3/4 in.); Painting: 140.2 x 68.3 cm (55 3/16 x 26 7/8 in.)
Kelvin Smith Fund
In the world of Ukiyo-e, where ink and paper danced together to bring narratives of life, love, and loss to vivid reality, there emerged a voice that transcended her time—Katsushika Ōi. She was not just an artist; she was a storyteller, weaving threads of emotion and drama against the canvas of history.
One can picture the dimly lit studio where she worked tirelessly. The air was thick with the scent of fresh ink, a silent witness to Ōi's determination and artistry. Her eyes, bright and observant, reflected not just the colors she mixed but the depth of the tales she chose to portray. Among these tales was an episode from the gripping 14th-century Chinese epic, *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*. It was a story filled with valor, conflict, and the haunting shadows of sacrifice.
In one particular scene, she captured the legendary Guan Yu, a figure revered for his unwavering bravery and loyalty. Imagine him, the splendor of his fighting spirit undeterred even as he faces excruciating pain. The air buzzes with tension as his attendants observe, their faces etched with disbelief and horror, watching helplessly as he endures a bone scraping, a desperate measure to rid himself of the poisons that coursed through his veins from a deadly arrow wound. Blood trickles from his arm, yet there he sits, resolutely focused on his game, embodying a stoicism that resonates through generations.
Katsushika Ōi's version of this moment was not merely an illustration; it was a visceral experience that demanded a visceral response. The colors she used were more than pigments on paper; they were emotions laid bare—fear, courage, and unyielding resolve. Her portrayal was sensational, a dramatic depiction that made the viewer feel as if they were part of the scene, standing frozen in time alongside the cowering attendants.
Yet, Ōi was not just a lone figure in this artistic realm. Surrounded by a world that often sidelined women, she stood out as a beacon of creativity, her talent illuminated through collaboration with her father, the legendary Katsushika Hokusai. Known for his iconic print *The Great Wave*, Hokusai nurtured his daughter's gift, a union of energies that allowed her artistry to flourish despite the constraints of her era.
In a world where stories often belonged to the powerful, Ōi carved her own path, creating a legacy that whispered of strength and artistry, resonating beyond her time. Her brush strokes spoke a universal language, telling tales that not only informed but also shaped the conversation around gender, creativity, and the power of storytelling in art. As we explore the layers of her work, we uncover the deep connection between the past and present, reminding us that even amidst our struggles, we can create moments of profound beauty and truth.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
The best place to view Cleveland Museum of Art‘s artwork is on Galleree. Hear the story behind this work, interact with the image, discuss with people, curate your own playlists, and discover so much more from great artists and institutions alike.