Hanamurasaki of the Tamaya, from the series Seven Komachi of the Pleasure Quarters (Seirō Nana Komachi)
Original title: “Hanamurasaki of the Tamaya,” from the series Seven Komachi of the Pleasure Quarters (Seirō Nana Komachi)
kurzbeschreibung
Hanamurasaki of the Tamaya House, a color woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro from the series 'Seven Komachi of the Pleasure Quarters,' was made around 1790. It shows a woman in traditional Japanese dress, concentrating on work with a brush.
Description
Several bamboo sticks jut in different directions from her upswept dark hair. Her right hand holds a brush, as if she is drawing or painting. Her kimono appears in warm tones and is covered with floral patterns. The background stays plain, bringing the figure forward; the palette is mostly neutral, with red and orange accents. Even light picks out details of the figure and the setting.
Context
The series was created in the 1790s, when ukiyo-e woodblock printing was at its height. In it, Utamaro refers to the legendary poet Ono no Komachi and transfers her themes to the world of Edo's pleasure quarters. Hanamurasaki was a well-known courtesan of the Tamaya House, a long-established brothel in Yoshiwara. Portraits like this advertised the houses and at the same time emphasized the courtesans' cultural standing.
Impact
A quiet, intimate mood emanates from the print, focusing on the woman's concentration. Clear lines and a balanced harmony of color create an aesthetic in which elegance and everyday life in the pleasure quarters come together.
Technique
Several woodblocks were used for printing, one for each color. Ink and colors were applied to paper; fine lines and flat areas of color are characteristic of this process. The careful execution attests to the high level of craftsmanship in the print workshops of the time.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)