Two Women with a Baby who is Playing on the Floor
Original title: Two Women with a Baby who is Playing on the Floor
kurzbeschreibung
This woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro dates from around 1793. It depicts two women looking after a baby playing on the floor. The image was printed in ink and color on paper.
Description
In front stands a woman in a robe patterned with flowers and crosses; yellow hair ornaments sit in her coiffure, and she holds a handkerchief with floral motifs. Behind her appears a second, similarly dressed woman whose hair ornament is red. The child on the floor wears a red bow in its hair and is likewise dressed in traditional clothing. A plain beige ground surrounds the figures and makes them stand out. Chinese characters run down the left side, and a small mark at lower right is probably a signature or artist's seal.
Context
Utamaro ranks among the foremost masters of Japanese woodblock printing of the Edo period. His output consists mainly of images of women from the Yoshiwara pleasure quarter, alongside scenes of everyday life. This sheet dates from around 1793, a phase in which the artist was at the height of his powers. Mother-and-child motifs were widely popular in the ukiyo-e art of those years.
Impact
The layout draws attention to the tender way the two women handle the child. Crisp outlines and a restrained range of colors give the picture a quiet, intimate mood. The figures' dress and hairstyles point to their cultural setting and underscore their elegance.
Technique
This sheet was made as a woodblock print: the design is cut into a wooden block and then pulled on paper. Several blocks served the different colors. The colors were applied with ink, which produces the lively yet delicate tones.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)