Edo Beauty, Floating World Courtesan, Utamaro, Original Japanese Woodblock Print

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Edo Beauty, Floating World Courtesan, Utamaro, Original Japanese Woodblock Print

About the Item

Artist: Utamaro Kitagawa (1753 - 1806) Title: 7 to 9 pm Series: Seiro Juni Toki (Twelve Hours of the Green House) Publisher: Tsutaya Juzaboro Date: 1789 Dimensions: 24.3 x 35.9 cm. The Yoshiwara district, which Utamaro often frequented, was rather different from the image we may have of a European red light district of circa 19th century. Although harboring the unethical and the hedonistic, to one's surprise, some parts of the Yoshiwara were almost akin to the Parisienne salon of the same time. High ranking courtesans chose which clients they accepted and this was often not based on financial means. An educated and cultured suitor was ideal. Utamaro's courtesan can be seen in the middle of writing in semi-cursive script. With the air of an older sister, she turns with a sweet expression towards her kamuro, a young apprentice who would wait on and learn from their assigned courtesan until eventually becoming one themselves. In this portrait, Utamaro captures something of the ethereality of the Yoshiwara, a place which promulgated the term 'the floating world' for its dreamy qualities in a society markedly feudal and rigid in its hierarchy. The smooth line of her neck and warm expression bypass her anatomically unnatural movement: she exudes ease and poise even in her languid pose. Her garments and writing paper, too, all drape beside her into a pool of fabrics and textures. Just in front of her is a suzuri-bako, a Japanese writing box that often works of art in themselves.

Creator:
Utamaro (Artist)
Dimensions:
Height: 14.14 in (35.9 cm)Width: 9.57 in (24.3 cm)Depth: 0.04 in (1 mm)
Style:
Edo (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Paper,Hand-Crafted
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
Late 18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Late 18th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Residue paper around the edge on back from old backed paper. Green pigment near bottom side. Tear along left side restored. Trimmed.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: DUF0611stDibs: LU2404314152421