Who painted Bust of Woman with Loose Hair Holding Fan?

Bust of Woman with Loose Hair Holding Fan was painted by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1780.

Where can I see Bust of Woman with Loose Hair Holding Fan?

Bust of Woman with Loose Hair Holding Fan is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Bust of Woman with Loose Hair Holding Fan?

Bust of Woman with Loose Hair Holding Fan is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Bust of Woman with Loose Hair Holding Fan

Kitagawa Utamaro , 1780

Bust of Woman with Loose Hair Holding Fan is a print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1780 by the Japanese ukiyo‑e artist Kitagawa Utamaro, this woodblock print depicts a solitary female bust. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of late‑eighteenth‑century portraiture in the genre of bijin-ga, or images of beautiful women.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is presented in three‑quarter view, her head slightly turned away from the viewer. Long, dark hair is gathered at the back while a few strands fall loosely, framing a calm expression. She holds a hand‑held fan adorned with a pink‑and‑white motif, a common accessory that hints at both elegance and the seasonal context of the scene.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employs the characteristic ukiyo‑e approach of clean, flowing lines and flat areas of color. The print’s palette is restrained, emphasizing the pale complexion of the sitter and the soft folds of her simple robe. The fan’s delicate pattern is rendered with fine carving, creating a subtle contrast against the muted background.

History & Provenance

The print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through a mid‑20th‑century acquisition, reflecting the growing Western interest in Japanese prints after the opening of Japan in the 1850s. Its presence in the museum’s collection underscores the importance of Utamaro’s work in the diffusion of Edo‑period visual culture beyond Japan.