Courtesans Imitating a Court Procession
Original title: Courtesans Imitating a Court Procession
kurzbeschreibung
Kitagawa Utamaro created this triptych, 'Courtesans Imitating a Courtly Procession,' in 1806, a late work showing a group of women staging a procession. The participants wear elaborate kimonos with floral patterns in red, gold, and blue; some hold umbrellas, while others stand by an ornate cart. The print is a color woodblock on paper, measuring 38.7 x 76.2 cm.
Description
Several women move in a line, their gazes directed in different ways, which brings motion into the picture. Some carry umbrellas, while others linger beside a cart with large wheels and rich patterning. Warm tones dominate the palette, and evenly distributed light teases out the details of garments and cart. Clean lines and sharp contours match the style of traditional Japanese woodblock printing.
Context
The triptych dates from 1806, late in Utamaro's career, and he was known above all for his images of women, especially courtesans. It belongs to the ukiyo-e genre of woodblock prints, which took the pleasure quarters of Edo—present-day Tokyo—as its subject. Courtesans imitating a courtly procession was a popular motif and reflects the entertainment culture of the time. Utamaro died the same year, so the print is among the late testimonies to his art.
Impact
The scene feels lively and animated, mainly because of the varied directions of the figures' gazes and their arrangement. The warm palette and rich patterns draw attention to the elaborate clothing and the cart, creating a festive mood. Thanks to the clear contours, the image gains a graphic precision characteristic of the woodblock print.
Technique
Three woodblocks were printed with ink and color on paper for this triptych. Woodblock printing is a relief process: the design is cut into wooden blocks, which are then inked and pressed onto paper. Each color required its own block and was applied in multiple layers, demanding precise registration.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)