The Kitchen
Original title: The Kitchen
kurzbeschreibung
Kitagawa Utamaro made 'The Kitchen' in 1795 as the right-hand sheet of a triptych. This colour woodblock print, in ink and colour on paper, presents two women engaged in domestic work. The subject comes from everyday life in a Japanese household of the Edo period.
Description
Two women in traditional robes are busy in a kitchen. In front, one stirs a bowl with a spoon; the other stands behind, holding a bowl and adding something. Both wear elaborate hairstyles and patterned clothes. Smoke rises from a hearth in the background. Yellows and reds dominate the colour scheme, with green and brown accents providing contrast.
Context
Utamaro was one of the major ukiyo-e artists of the late eighteenth century and devoted himself chiefly to images of women. The triptych was created during the Edo period, an era of relative stability and cultural flourishing. Scenes of everyday life were highly popular in woodblock printmaking and offered glimpses into the domestic life of the urban population. The precise rendering of clothing and utensils testifies to an interest in contemporary life.
Impact
The print's calm, symmetrical layout and warm tones create an inviting harmony. The women are wholly absorbed in their activity, generating a quiet, intimate mood. Clear areas of colour and precise lines lend the view a decorative lightness.
Technique
The drawing was cut into woodblocks and then transferred to paper with colour. Sharp contours and clearly separated colours characterise the multi-colour printing method typical of ukiyo-e (nishiki-e). The exact execution of details, such as the fabric patterns, demanded great craftsmanship.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)