Three Beauties of the Kwansei Period
Original title: Three Beauties of the Kwansei Period
kurzbeschreibung
Three women in traditional Japanese dress, each with her own hairstyle and accessory, are the focus of this print by Kitagawa Utamaro. Made around 1791 as a woodblock print, it was printed with ink and colour on paper.
Description
The three figures stand in a row. The middle one wears her hair up with gold ornaments; the other two have elaborate styles with blossoms and ribbons. At lower right, a woman holds an open fan with a floral design. Muted tones dominate, with accents of red, blue and gold. The arrangement feels balanced, and the light falls evenly, without harsh shadows.
Context
In the Kwansei era (1789–1801), bijin-ga — pictures of beautiful women — were a central subject of Edo culture. Utamaro made this print as part of a series presenting contemporary beauties from the Yoshiwara pleasure district. He was known for his portrayals of female elegance and for intimate views.
Impact
The calm, balanced arrangement and subdued colours give the image a refined, quiet mood. Detailed hairstyles and the fan draw the eye to the women's fashionable sophistication.
Technique
Colour printing is done from several blocks: ink and pigments are transferred to paper. Sharp contours and clear lines, typical of this ukiyo-e technique, result from the multi-stage printing.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)