The Niwaka Performers
Original title: The Niwaka Performers
kurzbeschreibung
Kitagawa Utamaro devoted this colour woodblock print of about 1795 to three women appearing in the role of Niwaka performers. The sheet was printed in ink and colour on paper and measures 38.6 × 25.7 cm.
Description
Three women share the picture space: the foremost figure holds a fan, another stands behind her with a long object, perhaps an instrument, and the third sits with her gaze turned toward the other two. The layout places the figures centrally and in near mirror symmetry. Earth tones dominate the palette, with red and green providing accents. Even light, crisp contours and flatly filled colour zones correspond to Edo-period printing practice.
Context
Utamaro worked in the late Edo period, when Japan's cultural life was flourishing. He became famous for pictures of women, especially courtesans and beauties from the pleasure quarters. Niwaka performances were improvised theatrical pieces staged at festivals in Yoshiwara, the pleasure district of Edo. Our print belongs to a series that records such scenes.
Impact
A calm emanates from the symmetrical arrangement, and the muted tones reinforce it. An elegant, restrained mood arises. Grace lies in the women's posture, and without dramatic means the sheet conveys an impression of Edo-period courtly culture.
Technique
Woodblock printing, which brings ink and colour onto paper, was used for this sheet. Clear outlines and closed colour areas are thus possible, as seen here. Several printing passes were layered until the fine gradations emerged.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)