Kintoki en Yamauba

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, rechtsonder, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Kintoki en Yamauba is a captivating color woodcut by the renowned Japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro created between 1800 and1805. This intimate print measures 379 mm high by 244 mm wide and depicts Kintoki, the legendary superhuman boy from Japanese folklore, with the mountain witch Yamauba, his foster mother. Utamaro, a master of the ukiyo-e ("pictures of the floating world") tradition, often explored everyday beauty and mythical tales, blending tenderness with the supernatural in his late-career works. Utamaro's style shines through in the delicate lines and vibrant colors achieved via the intricate woodblock printing process, where multiple carved blocks were inked in layers for rich hues. Produced during Japan's Edo period, when ukiyo-e prints democratized art for urban audiences, this piece reflects cultural fascination with yokai (supernatural beings) and heroic legends. Kintoki, later one of the Four Heavenly Kings, symbolizes raw strength nurtured in nature. A collector's mark (Lugt 2228) stamped bottom right attests to its esteemed provenance, linking it to European connoisseurs who championed Japanese prints. This artwork invites visitors to ponder folklore's enduring magic, preserved through Utamaro's masterful technique. (198 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...