Busteportret van de courtisane Kisegawa uit het Matsubaya huis.
1795 - 1800
Medium
color woodcut
Dimensions
251; 336
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
kleurenhoutsnede; lijnblok in zwart met kleurblokken
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan with Kitagawa Utamaro's *Busteportret van de courtisane Kisawa uit het Matsubaya huis* (Bust Portrait of the Couran Kisegawa from Matsubaya House), stunning color woodcut from around 1795–1800. Utamaro, a master ukiyo-e—the "pictures of the floating world"—ized in bijin-ga, intimate portraits of beautiful women. Here, he captures Kisegawa a renowned tayū (high-ranking courtesan) from prestigious Matsubaya brothel in Yoshiwara, Tokyo's famed pleasure district. Her poised bust portrait exudes elegance, with intricate details in her kimono, hairstyle, and subtle gaze that hint at the allure and status of Yoshiwara's elite. Crafted as a nishiki-e or "brocade print," this 336 × 251 mm work showcases Utamaro's genius in the woodblock process: a precise black line block forms the outlines, overlaid by multiple color blocks for lush hues of reds, blues, and golds. This labor-intensive technique, involving carvers, printers, and publishers, allowed mass production while achieving painterly depth and texture—revolutionary for its time. Culturally, the print reflects the ukiyo-e obsession with transient pleasures, celebrity courtesans, and fashion. Utamaro's works elevated these women as icons of beauty and refinement, influencing global art from Japonisme to modern design. A window into 18th-century Japan's hedonistic underbelly, it invites us to admire both artistry and history. (218 words)
About the Artist
Kitagawa Utamaro · 1753–1806
Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1753-1806) was one of the most celebrated masters of ukiyo-e woodblock printing, revolutionizing the art of bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) during Japan's Edo period. Born Kitagawa Ichitaro, his early life remains shrouded in mystery, with conflicting accounts placing his birth in Kyoto, Osaka, Yoshiwara in Edo (modern Tokyo), or Kawagoe in Musashi Province. Under the t...