Artwork

『北国五色墨』「おいらん」|“High-Ranking Courtesan” (Oiran), from the series Five Shades of Ink in the Northern Quarter (Hokkoku goshiki-zumi),

『北国五色墨』「おいらん」|“High-Ranking Courtesan” (Oiran), from the series Five Shades of Ink in the Northern Quarter (Hokkoku goshiki-zumi), is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 1794 woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro, titled 'Oiran' (High-Ranking Courtesan), is part of the series 'Five Shades of Ink in the Northern Quarter'. It is currently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a solemn oiran (high-ranking courtesan) in traditional attire, standing against a muted gray background. Notably, her face is expressionless, diverging from the customary smiling portrayal of courtesans in contemporary art.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employed a restrained palette, utilizing only five ink shades to maintain a subdued atmosphere. Innovative for its time, the design incorporates tiny white dots on the oiran’s robe achieved through woodblock printing, not hand-painting.

History & Provenance

Created in 1794, 'Oiran' is an early example of Utamaro’s work in the 'Five Shades of Ink' series. Its current location is The Metropolitan Museum of Art, though the full provenance history is not detailed here.

Context

This piece reflects late 18th-century Japanese ukiyo-e aesthetics, with Utamaro’s unique approach to depicting women of the time. For similar works, see other ukiyo-e prints focusing on Japanese women from this era.

Legacy

'Oiran' is significant for its somber portrayal of a courtesan and technical innovation in woodblock printing. It influences subsequent depictions of women in Japanese art, though its broader impact on the development of ukiyo-e is not explicitly outlined here.