Woodblock Print
ca. 1793 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Images known as ukiyo-e (‘pictures of the floating world’) were immensely popular during the Edo period (1615–1868). Produced in very large numbers, they reflected a world that celebrated hedonism, consumerism and living for the moment. Depictions of beautiful women abounded, especially the glamorous and trend-setting courtesans of Japan’s major cities.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Printing, colour print from wood blocks on paper |
| Brief description | Woodbock print by Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806), Japanese, c.1793. |
| Physical description | Portrait format print depicting half-length portraits of three contemporary, Japanese beauties in a pyramid formation. The colours of the print are quite faded, being predominantly shades of black, beige and gold. Each woman wears a kimono, and the woman on the bottom right holds a fan. The print is signed 'Utamaro hitsu.' |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Utamaro hitsu (Signed ) |
| Gallery label | Beautiful Women
Images known as ukiyo-e (‘pictures of the floating world’) were immensely popular during the Edo period (1615–1868). Produced in very large numbers, they reflected a world that celebrated hedonism, consumerism and living for the moment. Depictions of beautiful women abounded, especially the glamorous and trend-setting courtesans of Japan’s major cities. These five prints by leading artists show some of the variations in hair-style and kimono design of the time.
(20/09/2015) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Sir Edward David Stern (part of the Sir Edward David Stern collection). |
| Object history | The three courtesans featured in the print are named as Ohisa and Okita and the singer Toyohina. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Images known as ukiyo-e (‘pictures of the floating world’) were immensely popular during the Edo period (1615–1868). Produced in very large numbers, they reflected a world that celebrated hedonism, consumerism and living for the moment. Depictions of beautiful women abounded, especially the glamorous and trend-setting courtesans of Japan’s major cities. |
| Bibliographic reference | Victoria & Albert Museum Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design & Department of Paintings Accessions 1934 London: Published under the Authority of the Board of Education, 1935 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.263-1934 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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