Woman on a Verandah About to Open a Letter
mid–late 1770s
Medium
Color woodblock print; wide hashira-e
Dimensions
69 × 16.7 cm (27 × 6 1/2 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
77418
Art Historical Context
In the mid-to-late 1770s, Japanese artist Katsukawa Shunshō captured a quiet moment of anticipation in *Woman on a Verandah About to Open a Letter*, stunning color woodblock print from ukiyo-e tradition. Shunshō, a leading figure in Edo-period art, was renowned for his elegant depictions of beautiful women (bijin-ga) and kabuki actors, blending realism with poetic grace. This wide hashira-e—a tall, narrow format designed to hang on architectural pillars—measures an impressive 69 × 16.7 cm, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the intimate scene of a woman poised on a wooden verandah, lett...