Artwork

鳥居清長画大川端の夕涼み|Enjoying the Evening Cool on the Banks of the Sumida River

鳥居清長画大川端の夕涼み|Enjoying the Evening Cool on the Banks of the Sumida River is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Torii Kiyonaga. It dates from 1784 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1784 by the ukiyo‑e master Torii Kiyonaga, this diptych of nishiki‑e woodblock prints portrays a leisurely scene on the banks of the Sumida River. Executed in ink and color on paper, the work is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features four elegantly dressed women in vibrant robes of green, red and blue. Two stand on a bridge, one fanning herself while another leans on the railing; a third kneels at the water’s edge and a fourth walks beside her. The setting suggests a calm evening gathering, emphasizing refined leisure among urban residents.

Technique & Style

Kiyonaga employs fine, repeated lines to render shadows and the folds of fabric, a method akin to cross‑hatching that enhances texture and depth. The delicate line work contrasts with the bold, patterned colors, allowing the garments to stand out while maintaining the flat decorative quality typical of late‑18th‑century ukiyo‑e.

History & Provenance

The prints were produced as a two‑panel set (diptych) during the peak of Kiyonaga’s career in the 1780s, a period noted for his sophisticated depictions of fashionable life. The work entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition in the early 20th century, where it remains on display as an example of Edo‑period printmaking.