A Young Woman Reading A Letter
Original title: A Young Woman Reading A Letter
kurzbeschreibung
Kitagawa Utamaro's "Young Woman Reading a Letter" dates from the 1790s and measures 36.8 x 25.7 cm. It depicts a woman in traditional dress bent over a piece of writing, printed as a woodblock in ink and color on paper.
Description
The woman holds a letter in both hands, absorbed in reading it. Her hair is pinned up and ornamented, and her brightly patterned robe is dominated by red, yellow and black. Chinese characters appear behind her, presumably giving the title or a description of the work. The layout is centered, drawing the eye to the woman and the paper she holds.
Context
Utamaro ranks among the major Japanese artists of ukiyo-e and is known for his pictures of women. This print was made in the 1790s, when woodblock prints were widely circulated in Japan. Such prints appeared as single sheets or in series and were popular with a broad public.
Impact
The scene feels quiet and intimate, since the woman is absorbed in her reading. Clean lines and harmonious color give the image an elegance that is at the same time plain, characteristic of Utamaro's style.
Technique
Ink and color were printed on paper for this woodblock. The design is cut into a woodblock, inked, and then transferred to paper; several blocks may be used for the different colors.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)