A Pair of Lovers
Original title: A Pair of Lovers
kurzbeschreibung
Kitagawa Utamaro's colour woodblock print "Ein Liebespaar" dates from 1795 and depicts a couple locked in a close embrace, both dressed in traditional Japanese garments. The sheet belongs among the ukiyo-e prints of the Edo period and stands as a fine example of that art form.
Description
Two figures sit on a bench, pressed close together: the woman wears a red obi and her black hair is pinned with yellow ornaments, while the man is dressed in a striped kimono. Their arms are wrapped around one another, their faces turned slightly away. A fan with a floral pattern lies beneath the bench. Against the dark, bare ground the figures stand out clearly; reds, beiges and browns dominate, with accents of gold and green providing counterpoints.
Context
This print comes from the Edo period, when ukiyo-e sheets circulated widely in Japan. The lovers belong to the bijin-ga genre, which portrays beautiful women and intimate scenes. Such sheets were made for the popular market and often appeared as parts of series. Utamaro was regarded as a sensitive observer of women and couples.
Impact
The tender gesture and warm colouring move the viewer at once. Because the ground stays bare, the eye rests entirely on the couple, which deepens the intimacy of the scene. Even, shadowless light gives the sheet a calm, almost timeless character.
Technique
Ink and colour were printed on paper, with the design cut into wooden blocks and pulled from them. Utamaro worked with delicate lines and clearly separated areas of colour, as was customary for ukiyo-e prints of those years.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)