Artwork

Act VII from the series The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers As Portrayed by Famous Beauties in Twelve Leaves

Act VII from the series The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers As Portrayed by Famous Beauties in Twelve Leaves is a print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Act VII from the series The Storehouse of Loyal Retainers As Portrayed by Famous Beauties in Twelve Leaves is an 1794 print by Kitagawa Utamaro, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts an intimate domestic scene with two women and a child. The women, dressed in intricately patterned kimonos, are engaged in a quiet, reflective moment, suggesting a portrayal of serene, everyday life.

Technique & Style

Utamaro's composition balances harmony and simplicity, utilizing subtle color choices and strategic placement of elements (plants, low table) to guide the viewer's eye and evoke a contemplative atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created in 1794, the work is part of a twelve-leaf series. Its current location is The Cleveland Museum of Art, though the full provenance history is not detailed here.

Context

This piece reflects Utamaro's focus on capturing the beauty of everyday life, particularly among women, a common theme in his oeuvre and in 18th-century Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock printing.