A Merry Evening Party
Original title: A Merry Evening Party
kurzbeschreibung
Around 1805, Kitagawa Utamaro created the triptych 'A Merry Evening', which gathers a group of women in traditional Japanese dress in an interior. The color woodblock print on paper, executed in ink and color, measures 36.5 x 73.7 cm and belongs to the bijin-ga genre, the pictorial representation of beautiful women.
Description
Several women in precious kimonos adorned with floral ornaments populate the room: one adjusts a garment, another remains still, a third devotes herself to food. Behind the figures, Japanese motifs such as plants and characters appear. Warm browns, orange and beige dominate the coloring, enlivened by blue and green accents. An even distribution of light brings the actors and their activities into focus.
Context
Utamaro produced this print in the late Edo period, when Japanese color woodblock printing was at its height. The triptych belonged to a series depicting the social activities of women in leisure hours—a common subject in ukiyo-e art. The artist was known for his portrayals of women from the Yoshiwara pleasure district and captured everyday occurrences with quiet elegance.
Impact
The tranquil, familiar mood of the scene invites viewers to discover the details of the garments and gestures. Balanced color harmonies and a harmonious layout create a peaceful atmosphere characteristic of Utamaro's depictions of female grace.
Technique
Three woodblocks were printed with ink and color on paper for this triptych. The color woodblock printing process (nishiki-e) allowed fine contours and a wide range of tones; the cherry wood blocks were charged with pigments before printing.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)