Who painted 名取酒六家選大もんぢや内浅じふ木綿屋七ッ梅|A Courtesan?

名取酒六家選大もんぢや内浅じふ木綿屋七ッ梅|A Courtesan was painted by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1780.

Where can I see 名取酒六家選大もんぢや内浅じふ木綿屋七ッ梅|A Courtesan?

名取酒六家選大もんぢや内浅じふ木綿屋七ッ梅|A Courtesan is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 名取酒六家選大もんぢや内浅じふ木綿屋七ッ梅|A Courtesan?

名取酒六家選大もんぢや内浅じふ木綿屋七ッ梅|A Courtesan is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

名取酒六家選大もんぢや内浅じふ木綿屋七ッ梅|A Courtesan

Kitagawa Utamaro , 1780

名取酒六家選大もんぢや内浅じふ木綿屋七ッ梅|A Courtesan is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Kitagawa Utamaro’s woodblock print, dated 1780, presents a single figure—a woman dressed in a patterned kimono—standing beneath a willow branch. She holds a fan, her hair styled in an elevated coiffure, and the composition conveys a moment of quiet repose. The work is executed in ink and color on paper, typical of Edo‑period prints.

Subject & Meaning

The figure belongs to a series that portrayed actual courtesans of Edo, offering a realistic glimpse into their daily lives rather than idealized representations. Utamaro captures an individualized expression and mood, suggesting a private, introspective instant rather than a staged performance, thereby humanizing the subject within the social context of the pleasure districts.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employs fine, delicate line work to delineate the kimono’s pattern and the woman’s features, while a restrained palette of soft colors creates a subtle atmospheric effect. The interplay of ink outlines and muted pigments enhances the sense of depth and intimacy, characteristic of his approach to portraiture in ukiyo‑e.

History & Provenance

Created in the late eighteenth century, the print was part of a broader series documenting real courtesans in Edo, reflecting contemporary interest in the lives of women of the licensed quarters. It remains an example of Utamaro’s contribution to the genre of bijin-ga, and survives in museum collections that preserve Edo‑period woodblock prints.