Who painted 女織蚕手業草十|The Making of Silk Floss?

女織蚕手業草十|The Making of Silk Floss was painted by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1790.

Where can I see 女織蚕手業草十|The Making of Silk Floss?

女織蚕手業草十|The Making of Silk Floss is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 女織蚕手業草十|The Making of Silk Floss?

女織蚕手業草十|The Making of Silk Floss is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

女織蚕手業草十|The Making of Silk Floss

Kitagawa Utamaro , 1790

女織蚕手業草十|The Making of Silk Floss is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Making of Silk Floss is a woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro, dating to around 1790. Executed in ink and color on paper, it belongs to the genre scene category within Utamaro's prints.

Subject & Meaning

The print portrays a woman in a pale blue robe, sleeves rolled up, intently pulling golden threads from a wooden frame. Notably, the scene emphasizes quiet focus on a mundane task, devoid of dramatic elements, highlighting the everyday nature of the worker's activity.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employs soft colors and flowing lines to convey a sense of everyday realism. The golden silk floss is depicted with a luminous quality, contrasting with the woman's calm, partially obscured face, emphasizing her concentration on the task.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1790, this work is among the earliest examples of an artist depicting a worker engaged in their profession without dramatic embellishment, focusing instead on the serenity of the task.

Context

Part of a series titled 女織蚕手業草 (The Making of Silk Floss), this print reflects 18th-century Japanese interest in depicting daily life, particularly the roles of women in traditional industries like silk production.

Legacy

This print influences the depiction of everyday working life in subsequent Japanese art, particularly in its understated portrayal of female workers. Its calm, observational style has resonated with those interested in the quieter aspects of Japanese genre scenes.