Princess Yaegaki
Original title: Princess Yaegaki
kurzbeschreibung
Princess Yaegaki rides on horseback, wrapped in richly patterned robes. This colour woodblock print comes from Utagawa Kuniyoshi and dates to the 19th century. Numerous symbolic motifs accompany the figure. The sheet was printed as a woodcut in ink and colour on paper.
Description
A female figure sits high on a horse, her robe strewn with floral ornaments. On her head rests a striking construction of feathers and a helmet adorned with blossoms. Behind the rider appear several cats rendered as shadowy silhouettes. At the upper left opens a framed landscape view with a waterfall and trees; at the upper right hangs a red sign with characters.
Context
Kuniyoshi worked in the 19th century, when Japanese colour woodblock printing, ukiyo-e, reached its peak. The artist was known for historical and legendary figures, which he liked to enrich with fantastic ingredients. Princess Yaegaki comes from a kabuki play based on an old legend. The sheet probably belongs to a series of famous theatre scenes.
Impact
Bold colours and sharp, detailed linework define the print. The princess's portrait combines with meaningful secondary motifs such as the cats and the landscape, creating narrative depth. Even light without harsh shadows gives the view something calm, almost decorative.
Technique
Several wooden printing blocks were used for this ukiyo-e, one for each colour area. Ink and plant-based pigments transferred the colours to the paper. The fabric patterns and the shadow cats reveal how precisely the printing technique was handled.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)