Artwork

喜多川歌麿画 柿捥ぎ|Picking Persimmons (Kaki-mogi)

喜多川歌麿画 柿捥ぎ|Picking Persimmons (Kaki-mogi), by Kitagawa Utamaro, ink, 1803
喜多川歌麿画 柿捥ぎ|Picking Persimmons (Kaki-mogi), by Kitagawa Utamaro, ink, 1803

喜多川歌麿画 柿捥ぎ|Picking Persimmons (Kaki-mogi) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1803 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This triptych of woodblock prints on paper, created by Kitagawa Utamaro around 1803, depicts a lively outdoor scene. The work is a notable example of Japanese ukiyo-e art and is currently held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows eight women in colorful kimonos engaged in picking and sorting fruit, likely persimmons or oranges, under laden trees. The scene conveys a sense of everyday life and activity, with figures arranged naturally amidst a rustic setting that includes a fence and a wagon.

Technique & Style

Utamaro's use of soft lines and muted colors captures the movement and play of light in the scene. The women's poses appear spontaneous, contributing to the overall impression of a candid moment from daily life.

Artist & collection