Artwork

当世美人三遊芸妓|“Geisha” from the series Three Amusements of Contemporary Beauties (Tōsei bijin san’yū: Geigi)

当世美人三遊芸妓|“Geisha” from the series Three Amusements of Contemporary Beauties (Tōsei bijin san’yū: Geigi) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, titled 'Geisha' from the series Three Amusements of Contemporary Beauties, is a work by Kitagawa Utamaro, created around 1800. It is a representation of two women in traditional attire, rendered in ink and color on paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts two women, likely geishas, standing together, dressed in traditional Japanese robes with flowing sleeves and wide skirts. They wear tall black hairpieces and display calm expressions, with one holding a fan and the other a small hanging bell.

Technique & Style

The robes are characterized by soft colors, including pale green, cream, and black. The fabric texture is achieved through tiny, repeated marks, a technique used to convey depth without shading, typical of Japanese prints.

History & Provenance

The print is held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, indicating its significance and preservation.