A Young Man at the Side of a House
Original title: A Young Man at the Side of a House
kurzbeschreibung
Kitagawa Utamaro's colour woodblock print presents several figures in traditional Japanese dress. The image was printed with ink and colour on paper and belongs to the Edo period, though the exact year of creation remains unknown.
Description
In the foreground, two women in traditional clothing have settled on the ground; one of them holds a small box. Behind them stands a third woman, combing her hair. At the upper left, a smaller frame opens onto another scene featuring two figures. Light tones dominate the colour scheme, with blue and brown providing accents. Frontal light brings the figures clearly into brightness.
Context
Utamaro ranks among the foremost exponents of Japanese woodblock printing in the Edo period and became known above all for his portrayals of women. During that era, ukiyo-e prints were widespread in Japan and took up urban life, especially the pleasure quarters. How exactly this particular print came about is not recorded.
Impact
The figures' everyday actions give the image a quiet, familiar mood. Clean lines and a balanced harmony of colour produce the elegant, restrained aesthetic characteristic of Utamaro.
Technique
Lines and hatching were cut into a woodblock, inked, and pulled on paper; several blocks were used for the different colours. Ink and colour sit on paper. This process brings out the print's clear contours and graduated tonal values.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)