A Courtesan (Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Met-Objekt 4598)
Original title: A Courtesan
kurzbeschreibung
Kitagawa Utamaro presents a woman in traditional Japanese dress in 'A Courtesan'. The woodblock print in ink and color on paper dates from around 1790. The figure turns her head to the side and holds a fan in her hand.
Description
The woman's robe carries a pattern of flowers and geometric shapes. Her hair is piled high and held by a large black hairpin adorned with a yellow rod. The fan in her hand also has a yellow rod. Her face is made up in the traditional manner, with red lips and lightly emphasized eye areas. Warm tones such as brown, beige and red dominate the palette and are brought out by the robe and fan.
Context
Kitagawa Utamaro ranks among the major Japanese woodblock artists of the eighteenth century and is known for his portrayals of women, including many courtesans. The sheet was made during the Edo period, when the ukiyo-e genre flourished. Utamaro portrayed numerous women from the Yoshiwara pleasure district in Edo, often emphasizing their beauty and elegance. No exact date is known, but stylistically the work belongs to the late 1790s.
Impact
Clear lines and the woman's calm posture give the image an elegant presence. The warm colors and her lowered gaze create an intimate, pensive mood. Bold patterns on the robe contrast with the plain background, drawing attention to the figure.
Technique
For the woodblock print, the design was first drawn on a woodblock and then printed on paper. Ink and colors reached the paper through separate blocks, producing the individual areas of color. Fine lines and high-contrast coloring are characteristic of the ukiyo-e color woodblock technique.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)