High-Ranking Courtesan (Oiran), from the series Five Shades of Ink in the Northern Quarter (Hokkoku goshiki-zumi)
Original title: “High-Ranking Courtesan” (Oiran), from the series Five Shades of Ink in the Northern Quarter (Hokkoku goshiki-zumi),
kurzbeschreibung
A high-ranking courtesan (oiran) holds a red stick between her lips. This motif comes from Kitagawa Utamaro and was made in 1794–95 as a color woodblock print on paper in oban format. The sheet belongs to a series that presents women of the Yoshiwara pleasure district in various moods.
Description
Front and center stands the woman, her long black hair falling down. A kimono with a floral pattern in warm tones from red through brown to beige, accented with white, wraps around her. A red stick in her mouth suggests a pensive or playful attitude. The background stays empty, drawing all attention to the figure. At the upper right are characters that designate the title or artist. Sharp lines and clear contours define the woodblock style of that time.
Context
Utamaro was among the leading ukiyo-e artists of the late eighteenth century and was known for his portrayals of women, including numerous courtesans. The series 'Five Shades of Ink' was created in the Edo period and gathers portraits of women from the Yoshiwara. The prints were intended as individual pieces or in albums for a wealthy urban audience. In depicting an oiran, a high-ranking courtesan, the artist adhered to the conventions of beauty representation but also emphasized individual traits.
Impact
The layout feels calm and concentrated, and the empty space around the figure heightens her presence. Warm colors and the gentle expression give the sheet an intimate, almost melancholic mood. Clear lines and the reduced setting create a timeless elegance.
Technique
For printing with ink and color on paper in oban format, several woodblocks were cut, one for each color, and printed one after another. The sharp contours and fine details attest to the high craft precision of the print workshop.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)