Artwork

児戯意乃三笑 恵恩芳子|Mother and Child

児戯意乃三笑 恵恩芳子|Mother and Child, by Kitagawa Utamaro, ink, 1800
児戯意乃三笑 恵恩芳子|Mother and Child, by Kitagawa Utamaro, ink, 1800

児戯意乃三笑 恵恩芳子|Mother and Child is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Mother and Child, a woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1800), presents an intimate domestic scene. A kneeling woman, with a child clinging to her back, interacts with a small dog tugging at her sleeve, conveying a sense of everyday life.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures a quiet, private moment between a mother and her child, underscored by the playful yet gentle interruption of a dog. It reflects Utamaro's focus on depicting ordinary women in mundane, relatable scenarios.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employs simple, expressive lines to convey warmth and feeling, eschewing unnecessary details. The composition balances quietness with the subtle introduction of movement through the dog's action.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1800, the print is characteristic of Utamaro's genre scenes. Specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

Part of a broader trend in late 18th-century Japanese art, the piece emphasizes the beauty in everyday domestic life, diverging from more common subjects like mythology or warfare.

Legacy

Mother and Child exemplifies Utamaro's influence in portraying the intimacy of family life through ukiyo-e. It invites viewers to appreciate the serene beauty of ordinary maternal moments, encouraging exploration of similar themes in his oeuvre.

Artist & collection