玉屋内 志津賀|A Courtesan
1807
Medium
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
14 3/16 x 9 7/8 in. (36 x 25.1 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Gift of Mrs. J. Watson Webb, 1930
Accession Number
JP2395
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan Kitagawa Utamaro's *A Courtesan* (玉屋内 志津賀), a stunning woodblock print from 1807. Created during the late Edo period (1615–1868), this ink and color on paper work exemplifies ukiyo-e, the "pictures of the floating world" that celebrated fleeting pleasures like theater, fashion, and urban life. Utamaro, a master of bijin-ga (images of beautiful women), was renowned for his elegant portrayals of courtesans, capturing their poise and sensuality with exquisite detail. The print depicts Shizuka, a celebrated courtesan from the Tamaya house in Yoshiwa...
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...