Artwork

Mando|子供遊に和賀 万度|Lantern Float

Mando|子供遊に和賀 万度|Lantern Float, by Kitagawa Utamaro, ink, 1804
Mando|子供遊に和賀 万度|Lantern Float, by Kitagawa Utamaro, ink, 1804

Mando|子供遊に和賀 万度|Lantern Float is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Mando|子供遊に和賀 万度|Lantern Float is a woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro, dating to circa 1804, executed in ink and color on paper. It is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a genre scene of four women collectively carrying a tall lantern float. Their calm facial expressions contrast with the physical effort implied by their leaning postures.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employed quick, sketchy lines to convey movement and texture, notably in the rendering of trees and fabric. The lantern's simplicity provides a visual counterpoint to the bustling background.

History & Provenance

Created around 1804, the work is now held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Context

Characteristic of ukiyo-e woodblock prints, this piece blends everyday life scenes with artistic composition, reflecting late Edo period (1603-1867) cultural interests.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of this piece are not highlighted, as a work by Utamaro, it contributes to the broader appreciation of his contributions to ukiyo-e and the depiction of women in Japanese art.

Artist & collection