The Greedy Old Woman with a Box of Demons — History & Facts
In The Greedy Old Woman with a Box of Demons, the viewer is confronted with a vivid scene filled with color and emotion. The old woman, depicted with exaggerated features, clutches a box that seems to emanate a dark aura. Surrounding her are various demons, each with unique and grotesque forms, enhancing the sense of chaos.
The background is filled with swirling patterns, typical of Ukiyo-e, adding to the dynamic feel of the composition. This artwork is a woodblock print, a traditional Japanese technique that allows for intricate details and vibrant colors. The use of bold outlines and flat areas of color is characteristic of Ukiyo-e, making the figures stand out against the background. The print's dimensions are approximately 30 x 45 cm, making it a manageable size for display.
The craftsmanship involved in creating such a piece reflects the skill and dedication of the artist. Tsukioka Yoshitoshi was a prominent figure in the Ukiyo-e movement, known for his dramatic and often macabre subjects. This work, created in the late 19th century, reflects the artist's fascination with the supernatural and the darker aspects of human nature. An interesting fact about this piece is that it captures a moment of greed and temptation, common themes in Yoshitoshi's oeuvre.
His ability to blend traditional techniques with contemporary themes makes this work significant in the history of Japanese art.
More Artworks by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Frost fills the air and the autumn air is still/lines of returning geese cross the moon in the third hour-Kenshin, from the series Twelve Aspects of the Moon
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Fukami Jikyu in maanlicht
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Looking Shy; The Manners of a Young Girl of the Meiji Era
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

The Lonely House on Adachi Moor in Northern Japan
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Inaba Mountain moon (Inabayama no tsuki)
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Omori Hikoshichi
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

One Hundred Aspects of the Moon
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

The Saga Incident
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Bon Festival Moon (Bon no tsuki)
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

Preparing to Take a Stroll; The Wife of a Nobleman of the Meiji Period
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
More Genre Scene Art

Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard
Frans Hals

Rembrandt and Saskia in the Scene of the Prodigal Son
Rembrandt van Rijn

Bal du moulin de la Galette
Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Quadrille at the Moulin Rouge
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

A Burial at Ornans
Gustave Courbet

When Will You Marry?
Paul Gauguin
