Rolling up a Blind for Plum Blossom Viewing
Woodblock Print
late 1790s (made)
late 1790s (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The enormously influential Utamaro (1750-1806) brought to the genre of figure prints a special insight into female psychology. This surimono (privately commissioned woodblock print) is a good example of his early work showing graceful women depicted with a fine, careful line. In particular, the facial expression of the girl who has just finished playing the koto (13-stringed Japanese zither) and the upper body of the woman rolling the blind show Utamaro's skill at delicate detail. The scene is probably based on some story, but in general it shows two popular leisure activities during the Edo period: playing musical instruments and holding parties for viewing plum or cherry blossoms.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Rolling up a Blind for Plum Blossom Viewing (popular title) |
Materials and techniques | Colour print from woodblocks |
Brief description | Japanese print, late 1790s, Kitagawa Utamaro:'Rolling up a Blind for Plum Blossom Viewing' |
Physical description | This print is a surimono (privately commisioned woodblock colour print). It is a good example of Utamaro's early work showing graceful women depicted with a fine, careful line. The scene is probably based on some story, but in general it shows two popular leisure activities during the Edo period: playing musical instruments and holding parties for viewing plum or cherry blossoms. Nagaban size. |
Object history | Purchased from Christie's, accessioned in 1897. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
Summary | The enormously influential Utamaro (1750-1806) brought to the genre of figure prints a special insight into female psychology. This surimono (privately commissioned woodblock print) is a good example of his early work showing graceful women depicted with a fine, careful line. In particular, the facial expression of the girl who has just finished playing the koto (13-stringed Japanese zither) and the upper body of the woman rolling the blind show Utamaro's skill at delicate detail. The scene is probably based on some story, but in general it shows two popular leisure activities during the Edo period: playing musical instruments and holding parties for viewing plum or cherry blossoms. |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.4233-1897 |
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Record created | December 10, 2002 |
Record URL |
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