Artwork

Mother Lifting a Child to a Plum Tree (from the series Chinese and Japanese Poems by Seven Year Old Girls of Recent Times)

Mother Lifting a Child to a Plum Tree (from the series Chinese and Japanese Poems by Seven Year Old Girls of Recent Times) 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

Mother Lifting a Child to a Plum Tree is a print by Japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro, dating to around 1794. It is part of the series Chinese and Japanese Poems by Seven Year Old Girls of Recent Times and is housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a tender moment between a mother, dressed in traditional Japanese attire, and her child. The scene shows the mother lifting the child to reach plum blossoms, conveying a sense of maternal love and care through her gentle expression.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employs soft, muted background colors juxtaposed with the warm tones of the mother's kimono, creating a serene atmosphere. The use of gentle lines enhances the overall calmness of the composition.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1794, the work is part of a specific thematic series. It is currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, though detailed provenance history prior to its acquisition is not provided here.

Context

This print reflects Utamaro's contribution to the ukiyo-e genre, known for capturing scenes of everyday life and nature in 18th-century Japan. The emphasis on a domestic, idyllic moment situates it within the broader themes of family and harmony prevalent in the era's art.

Legacy

As part of Utamaro's oeuvre, Mother Lifting a Child to a Plum Tree contributes to the artist's reputation for sensitive portrayals of women and children. Its serene beauty and emotional intimacy have likely influenced subsequent depictions of maternal themes in Japanese art.