Artwork

玉花子栄茂図|Gyoku-kashi Eimo Preparing Calligraphy Offerings

玉花子栄茂図|Gyoku-kashi Eimo Preparing Calligraphy Offerings, by Torii Kiyonaga, ink, 1782
玉花子栄茂図|Gyoku-kashi Eimo Preparing Calligraphy Offerings, by Torii Kiyonaga, ink, 1782

玉花子栄茂図|Gyoku-kashi Eimo Preparing Calligraphy Offerings is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Torii Kiyonaga. It dates from 1782 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Gyoku-kashi Eimo Preparing Calligraphy Offerings is a late 18th-century woodblock print by Torii Kiyonaga, dated circa 1782, now in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene domestic scene of three women preparing for a calligraphy offering. One stands with a tray bearing a bowl and brush, while two seated women attend to writing and interaction, set amidst papers and scrolls with Japanese text.

Technique & Style

Characterized by bold lines, simple shapes, and a muted color palette dominated by greens, browns, and yellows, the work embodies elegance and refinement typical of Kiyonaga's ukiyo-e aesthetic.

History & Provenance

Created around 1782 by Torii Kiyonaga, the print is currently held in the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Context

This work reflects the cultural significance of calligraphy in 18th-century Japan, as well as the daily life and occupations of women during the Edo period, often depicted in ukiyo-e prints.

Legacy

As part of Torii Kiyonaga's oeuvre, the print contributes to the broader legacy of ukiyo-e woodblock printing, influencing subsequent Japanese art movements and Western perceptions of Japanese culture.

Artist & collection