Woodblock Print thumbnail 1
Woodblock Print thumbnail 2
Not on display

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
  • Width: 9.625in
Marks and inscriptions
Utamaro hitsu (Signed )
Gallery label
(20/09/2015)
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.
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 createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
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