Two Young Women Wrapped in Yukata After a Bath
Original title: Two Young Women Wrapped in Yukata After a Bath
kurzbeschreibung
Kitagawa Utamaro made this colour woodblock print around 1796, showing two young women in yukata after a bath in a Japanese interior. The sheet measures 38.1 by 25.4 cm and is executed as a woodblock print with ink and colour on paper.
Description
On the left, a woman stands upright, her gaze directed downward; she wears a hairband and a yukata over a white undergarment. To the right, a second woman sits on the floor, also in a yukata with a floral pattern and her hair done up, and she too looks down. A wooden door and a window with a view of trees and a bird form the rear area, while a small cat's head can be seen on the floor. Earthy browns and beiges dominate the palette, supplemented by restrained blues and greens.
Context
Utamaro ranks among the outstanding masters of ukiyo-e in the late eighteenth century and is known above all for his portrayals of women. Scenes of bathing and subsequent grooming appeared frequently in Japanese art of that era. The two women are likely courtesans or geishas from the pleasure quarters, a motif that recurs throughout Utamaro's work.
Impact
The quiet, intimate scene radiates calm and contemplation. Clear lines and an even distribution of light emphasize the contours and give the print a balanced, serene aesthetic.
Technique
The colour woodblock combines ink and colour on paper. The nishiki-e process allowed fine details and a wide range of colour gradations, which here come into their own in earthy tones.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)