Nachtelijke visvangst

About this artwork

Een plezierboot met verschillende vrouwen en twee mannen belangstellend kijkend naar naastgelegen vissersboot waarin een man een groot visnet binnen haalt; bij nacht.

Art Historical Context

**Nachtelijke visvang (Night Fishing)** by Kit Utamaro (c. 1753–1806) a serene nocturnal scene from Japan's Edo period (1603–1868). This color woodcut print, measuring 363 × 245 mm, depicts elegant pleasure boat filled with women and two men, their gazes fixed on a nearby fishing vessel where a fisherman hauls in a massive net under the moonlight. Utamaro, a master of ukiyo-e—the "floating world" genre celebrating fleeting pleasures—excelled in portraying beautiful women (bijin-ga), infusing this work with his signature grace and intimacy. Created between 1795 and 1800, the print showcases the intricate techniques of Japanese woodblock printing: carvers meticulously chiseled multiple blocks for vibrant colors and subtle gradients, achieving a luminous night effect without modern tools. The composition draws viewers into the quiet drama of urban leisure meeting rural labor, reflecting Edo society's fascination with entertainment districts like Yoshiwara, where such outings symbolized refined escapism. This artwork highlights ukiyo-e's cultural role in democratizing art through affordable prints, influencing global artists like Van Gogh. Its delicate balance of light, texture, and human connection invites us to ponder the timeless allure of shared wonder amid the everyday.

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...