Chrysanten in vaas

About this artwork

Bloeiende chrysanten in klokvormige vaas in Chinese stijl; voet in vorm van draak.

Art Historical Context

**Chrysanthemums in a Vase** by Kitagawa Utam captures the delicate beauty of blooming chrysanthemums arranged in a bell-shaped vase of Chinese style, complete with a dragon-formed foot. Created between 1808 and 1815 on paper (340mm × 225mm), this intimate still life exemplifies Utamaro's mastery in ukiyo-e, the Japanese woodblock print tradition that celebrated the "floating world" of everyday elegance and nature's fleeting charms. Utamaro, a leading figure in the late Edo period, was renowned for his bijin-ga portraits of beautiful women, but his flower studies reveal a poetic sensitivity to form and color. The Chinese-inspired vase nods to centuries-old cultural exchanges between Japan and China, blending exotic motifs with native floral symbolism—chrysanthemums, Japan's imperial flower, evoke autumn's transience, longevity, and imperial grace. Printed on paper using intricate woodblock techniques, the work's subtle gradients and vibrant hues would have delighted collectors in urban Edo (modern Tokyo). This piece invites visitors to appreciate ukiyo-e's democratic appeal: affordable art for the masses that elevated simple subjects to profound beauty, bridging artistry and cultural reverence.

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...