Artwork

藤棚下の遊女たち|Courtesans Beneath a Wisteria Arbor (Fuji dana shita no yūjo tachi)

藤棚下の遊女たち|Courtesans Beneath a Wisteria Arbor (Fuji dana shita no yūjo tachi) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Courtesans Beneath a Wisteria Arbor is a woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro, dating to circa 1795. Executed in ink and color on paper, it is a representative example of Japanese genre scene prints from its era.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts three courtesans standing under a decorated arbor, adorned with hanging lanterns and leafy branches. Their attire and hairstyles reflect the fashion of the time, with high-styled hair, combs, fans, and intricately patterned robes.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employed flat colors with sharp outlines, characteristic of contemporary Japanese woodblock prints. The detailed patterns on the women’s robes and the arbor’s decorations showcase the artist’s attention to visual detail.

History & Provenance

The work is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, though specific details of its provenance before acquisition are not provided here.

Context

Created in the late 18th century, this print reflects the aesthetic and social interests of Edo-period Japan, particularly in its portrayal of courtesans, a popular subject in ukiyo-e art.

Legacy

As a work by Kitagawa Utamaro, it contributes to the artist’s notable output in the ukiyo-e genre, influencing later depictions of everyday and elite life in Japanese art.