Man and Young Woman with a Ball
Medium
Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
H. 23 1/2 in. (59.7 cm); W. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 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, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Accession Number
JP1678
Tags
Art Historical Context
Kitagawa Utamaro's *Man and Young Woman with a* is a captivating wood print from Japan's Edo period (16151868), embodying the ukiyo-e of the "floating world"—depictions of everyday pleasures, beauty, and fleeting moments. Utamaro1753–1806), a master ofin-ga (images of beautiful women), excelled in portraying graceful female figures with exquisite detail, soft contours, and vibrant colors achieved through intricate woodblock printing techniques. This collaborative process involved carving woodblocks for each color layer, allowing for mass production while maintaining artistic finesse. The prin...
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...