Artwork
喜多川歌麿画 『美人花合』 「兵庫屋内 花妻図」|“The Courtesan Hanazuma Reading a Letter,” from the series Beauties Compared to Flowers (Bijin hana awase)
喜多川歌麿画 『美人花合』 「兵庫屋内 花妻図」|“The Courtesan Hanazuma Reading a Letter,” from the series Beauties Compared to Flowers (Bijin hana awase) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This woodblock print, created around 1794, is part of a series by Kitagawa Utamaro titled Beauties Compared to Flowers. It is a portrait of a courtesan known as Hanazuma.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene woman, likely a high-ranking courtesan, engrossed in reading a letter or poem. The subtle pattern on her sleeve and the flowers above her head add to the tranquil atmosphere, suggesting a moment of quiet contemplation.
Technique & Style
Utamaro's work is characterized by simple, elegant lines and soft colors, which convey the subject's calm demeanor. The use of ink and color on paper creates a delicate, intimate portrayal.
Artist & collection
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実競色乃美名家見 三浦屋小紫 白井権八|The Lovers Miura-ya Komurasaki and Shirai Gonpachi.
行水|Bathtime (Gyōzui)
名君 閨中の粧ひ|The Oiran Yoso-oi Seated at Her Toilet
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『五色染六歌仙』 在原業平と小野小町|“The Poet Ariwara no Narihira (825–880) and Ono no Komachi,” from the series Five Colors of Love for the Six Poetic Immortals (Goshiki-zome rokkasen)
風俗美人時計 子ノ刻 妾|Midnight: Mother and Sleepy Child
『青楼七小町』 「玉屋内花紫」|“Hanamurasaki of the Tamaya,” from the series Seven Komachi of the Pleasure Quarters (Seirō Nana Komachi)
江戸の園花合 東屋の花|Azumaya no Hana
喜多川歌麿画 六玉川 扇屋内 花扇 扇屋内花扇|The Oiran Hanaogi of Ogiya, from the series “Six Jewel Rivers” (Mutamagawa)
歌撰恋之部 夜毎に逢恋|A Young Woman Reading A Letter
喜多川歌麿画 「南国美人合」 此すミ|The Courtesan Konosumi, from the series “Beauties of the Southern Quarter”(Nangoku bijin awase)
鳥文斎栄之画 「青楼美人六花仙 丁子屋雛鶴鸖」|The Courtesan Hinazuru of the Chōjiya Brothel (Chōjiya Hinazuru), from the series Beauties of the Pleasure Quarters as Six Floral Immortals (Seirō bijin rokkasen)
「青楼美人六花仙 扇屋花扇」|The Courtesan Hanaōgi of the Ōgiya Brothel (Ōgiya Hanaōgi), from the series Beauties of the Pleasure Quarters as Six Floral Immortals (Seirō bijin rokkasen)
青楼美人 六花撰 扇屋内花扇|A Courtesan with Wisteria on the Background
一楽亭栄水画 「扇屋内 花扇」|The Courtesan Hanaōgi of the Ōgiya Brothel (Ōgiya no uchi Hanaōgi)
「扇屋内花扇図」|The Courtesan Hanaōgi of the Ōgiya Brothel in Yoshiwara (Ōgiya uchi Hanaōgi, Yoshino, Tatsuta)