Mother and her Children in Front of a Freestanding Screen of a Chinese Lion
Original title: Mother and her Children in Front of a Freestanding Screen of a Chinese Lion
kurzbeschreibung
This woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro dates from 1786 and shows a woman with two children in front of a freestanding screen; its surface is decorated with a Chinese lion motif. As a surimono—a single sheet printed for a special occasion—the image is executed in ink and color on paper.
Description
A seated woman holds two children, while another child has taken a place on the floor. The back of the image is filled by a freestanding screen on which a detailed Chinese lion appears, surrounded by clouds. On the left stands a small table with a mirror and poultry, and on the right a portion of a leafy tree is suggested. Black and white dominates much of the print, with individual accents of color added.
Context
Utamaro was among the leading artists of the late eighteenth century and became known above all for images of women and children. Surimono were often commissioned for private occasions such as New Year or festivals and were distinguished by careful craftsmanship. In Mother with Children, the family ideal of the Edo period is reflected.
Impact
Quiet and intimacy shape this intimate scene, creating a mood of domesticity and tenderness. The figures are arranged symmetrically around the centrally placed screen, which gives the layout balance and harmony.
Technique
The sheet was produced by woodblock printing, with several blocks used for the colored areas. The surimono format allowed a particularly fine execution with restrained color gradations and precise details that go beyond ordinary commercial prints.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)