Artwork

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)

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) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, created around 1796, is part of the series 'Six Jewel Rivers' by Kitagawa Utamaro. It is a portrait of the oiran Hanaogi of Ogiya.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a woman, identified as the courtesan Hanaogi, seated on a woven mat, dressed in an ornate kimono, and holding a fan. The image captures a moment of quiet contemplation, with the subject lost in thought.

Technique & Style

Utamaro's use of sharp lines defines the intricate details of the kimono and the fan, a characteristic technique of Japanese prints from this period. The delicate gold designs on the fan add to the overall ornateness of the composition.

History & Provenance

The print is now held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a testament to its enduring significance in the world of art.