Courtesan, Shinohara and Kamuro of Tsuruya
Original title: Courtesan, Shinohara and Kamuro of Tsuruya
kurzbeschreibung
Two women dressed in traditional Japanese robes are seen from behind. The sheet is by Kitagawa Utamaro and dates from the late eighteenth century. It was produced as a woodblock print in ink and colour on paper.
Description
At the front stands a woman in a richly ornamented kimono patterned with dragons and clouds; her head carries a large mass of black hair adorned with yellow feathers. The second woman behind her wears a plainer robe with a red-and-white pattern, and a flower sits in her coiffure. Both figures are placed centrally, giving the layout a balanced feel. Japanese characters appear in the upper and lower parts of the sheet. Red, white, blue and gold dominate the palette.
Context
Kitagawa Utamaro ranks among the outstanding masters of ukiyo-e and devoted himself above all to pictures of beauties (bijin-ga). The print belongs to the late Edo period, an age in which woodblock prints circulated widely in Japan. The title 'Shinohara and Kamuro of the Tsuruya' names a well-known pleasure house in Edo that appears in other prints by Utamaro as well. Images of this kind served to advertise courtesans and their attendants.
Impact
Calm and balance define the arrangement, and the kimonos are rendered with great care. The colours combine harmoniously and lend the sheet a noble, formal presence. Because the faces stay turned away, a certain distance arises that sets off the elegance of the figures.
Technique
Several woodblocks were used for the colour print, one for each colour. The contours come out sharp and precise, as is typical of the ukiyo-e technique of the late eighteenth century. Ink and watercolours on paper allow fine gradations and luminous tones.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)