Busteportret van de courtisane Kisegawa uit het Matsubaya huis.

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, hairstyl...

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...