Artwork

Chushingura: Act VI of The Storehouse of Loyalty

Chushingura: Act VI of The Storehouse of Loyalty, by Kitagawa Utamaro, 1794
Chushingura: Act VI of The Storehouse of Loyalty, by Kitagawa Utamaro, 1794

Chushingura: Act VI of The Storehouse of Loyalty 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

Chushingura: Act VI of The Storehouse of Loyalty, a woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro circa 1794, is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. The work depicts a serene, intimate scene with three figures in a dimly lit room, incorporating subtle narrative elements.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows a woman in formal black and white robes standing with a fan and scroll, alongside a seated man holding a paper lantern, and another woman kneeling, absorbed in an unseen object. These elements suggest a quiet, everyday moment, potentially alluding to a broader narrative from 'The Storehouse of Loyalty', a story of loyalty and revenge.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employs characteristic late 18th-century Japanese printmaking techniques, featuring bold black outlines and flat, vibrant colors. The composition's simplicity and the use of everyday objects (fans, lanterns) are typical of Utamaro's style during this period.

History & Provenance

Created around 1794, the print is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, though specific details of its ownership history before acquisition are not provided here.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.