The Courtesan Hanazuma Reading a Letter
Original title: “The Courtesan Hanazuma Reading a Letter,” from the series Beauties Compared to Flowers (Bijin hana awase)
kurzbeschreibung
Hanazuma, a courtesan, is absorbed in reading a letter. This woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro dates from the 1790s and combines ink with color on paper. The subject belongs to the series 'Beauties Compared with Flowers'.
Description
Dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, the woman holds a written sheet of paper in her hands. Her hair is elaborately styled and ornamented. A round frame containing a flower and Chinese characters appears behind her. White, brown, and orange predominate, with accents of blue and green. The layout feels symmetrical and draws the eye to the woman and the paper.
Context
The series was created in the 1790s, when ukiyo-e prints were hugely popular in Edo (present-day Tokyo). At the time, it was customary to compare beauties with flowers—a widespread motif in Japanese art. Courtesans often appeared in ukiyo-e, as they were seen as the epitome of beauty and transience.
Impact
A calm, intimate mood emanates from the image, underscored by the clear coloring. The symmetrical arrangement and delicate lines give it a harmonious presence.
Technique
In this technique, the design is cut into wooden blocks and then printed with ink and color on paper. The sharp contours and clear colors correspond to the ukiyo-e method of the 18th century.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)