Who painted Two Women by a Bamboo Blind?

Two Women by a Bamboo Blind was painted by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1797.

Where can I see Two Women by a Bamboo Blind?

Two Women by a Bamboo Blind is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Two Women by a Bamboo Blind?

Two Women by a Bamboo Blind is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Two Women by a Bamboo Blind

Kitagawa Utamaro , 1797

Two Women by a Bamboo Blind is a print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1797 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Two Women by a Bamboo Blind, circa 1797, is a print by Japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts two women in a serene garden setting. One woman, dressed in a black robe with pink sleeves and a black hat, stands in the foreground, holding a fan. The other leans over a fence, gently reaching for a bird perched on bamboo, which appears unperturbed. The scene conveys a sense of tranquility and gentle interaction with nature.

Technique & Style

Utamaro's composition is characterized by the strategic use of tall bamboo stalks framing the scene, with a subtle glimpse of a wooden building in the background. Delicate details, such as the white flowers on the standing woman's robe hem and her partially visible sandals, showcase Utamaro's attention to detail.

History & Provenance

Created around 1797, the print is part of Utamaro's body of work known for detailed, nuanced depictions of everyday life and nature. It is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Context

This work reflects Utamaro's contribution to the ukiyo-e tradition, which often featured scenes of daily life, nature, and the beauty of mundane moments, appealing to a broad audience in 18th-century Japan.

Legacy

As part of Utamaro's oeuvre, Two Women by a Bamboo Blind contributes to the artist's reputation for capturing serene, intimate moments, influencing the perception of Japanese daily life and aesthetics in the Western world.