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Kitagawa Utamaro

Price Tax incl.:
1500 EUR

Attr. to Kitagawa Utamaro (1753- Edo/Tokyo - 1806) JAPANESE WOODCUT SHUNGA ▫️ Wood engraving on paper ▫️ 20.5 x 25.5 cm ▫️ Published 1822-1823, Edo/Tokyo ▫️ Unsigned, attributed to Kitagawa Utamaro ▫️ Private collection Netherlands ▫️ Good condition _______________________ ABOUT THE OBJECT Shunga Japanese shunga prints are a unique and beautiful art form that have been part of Japanese culture for centuries. These works of art depict explicit sexual scenes often involving heterosexual and homosexual couples. Shunga, which literally translates as "images of spring", were produced during the Edo period (1603-1868) and were popular with all classes of society. - Wood engraving Shunga prints were made from blocks of wood on which motifs were engraved, then inked and pressed onto paper. Prints often feature bright colors and detailed images, making them a popular art form. Many prints depicted sexual scenes, with couples engaging in various sexual activities. The scenes depicted in shunga were often humorous, and the prints often depicted men and women of all social classes. - A controversial art form The popularity of shunga woodcuts has not been without controversy. In 1842, the Japanese government banned the production of shunga, but this didn't stop the prints from continuing to be produced and sold. Despite the ban, shunga remained popular and continued to be produced throughout the Edo period. - Collector's items Today, shunga prints are highly sought-after and appreciated. _______________________ ABOUT THE ARTIST Utamaro Kitagawa (1753- Edo/Tokyo - 1806) was a leading artist in printmaking and painting, his favorite subject being bijin, beautiful women. His original name was Ichitaro Kitagawa. The very first works he produced after studying with a renowned artist were a series of woodcuts depicting scenes from Kabuki theater, which he published under the name Utagawa Toyoaki. Later works show him increasingly idealizing the image of women. He experimented with new techniques to render the colors of the female body in a particular way. The result is a somewhat artificial rendering. Physically, he portrayed women as extremely tall and thin figures with totally disproportionate heads, long noses and small mouths, long necks and narrow shoulders. The women look more like contemporary models. - Shunga In those days, going to a brothel was considered a status symbol. Because of his success, this artist visited them regularly, drawing inspiration from the images in shunga prints. In these places, he also met other artists. The quality of the work was partly fueled by the competitive tension between shunga artists. - Museums Works by Utamaro Kitagawa are exhibited at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and London's Britis Museum, among others. From January 27 to April 23, 2023, works by this artist will be on display.

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