Who painted 二階座敷に三人の女|Three Women on a Balcony?

二階座敷に三人の女|Three Women on a Balcony was painted by Torii Kiyonaga in 1786.

Where can I see 二階座敷に三人の女|Three Women on a Balcony?

二階座敷に三人の女|Three Women on a Balcony is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 二階座敷に三人の女|Three Women on a Balcony?

二階座敷に三人の女|Three Women on a Balcony is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

二階座敷に三人の女|Three Women on a Balcony

Torii Kiyonaga , 1786

二階座敷に三人の女|Three Women on a Balcony is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Torii Kiyonaga. It dates from 1786 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1786, this woodblock print by Torii Kiyonaga depicts three women positioned on a balcony. Executed on the upper sheet of a vertical diptych, the work combines ink and color on paper and is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents three female figures in distinct kimono patterns: a woman in a black kimono with white detailing stands on the left, a centrally seated woman in a red kimono holds a fan, and a right‑hand figure in a pink kimono looks downward. Their varied postures and gazes suggest a moment of quiet interaction within an interior space.

Technique & Style

Kiyonaga employs the ukiyo‑e woodblock method, using multiple carved blocks to apply ink and pigments. The composition balances line and color, with the balcony’s green‑tinted railings and surrounding foliage rendered in delicate washes that contrast with the brighter kimono hues.

History & Provenance

The print forms the upper half of a two‑panel diptych, a format common in late‑eighteenth‑century Japanese prints. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through acquisition, though specific details of its earlier ownership remain undocumented.

Context

Produced during the Edo period, the work reflects the era’s fascination with fashionable urban life, particularly the depiction of women in domestic settings. Kiyonaga, known for his elegant portrayals of courtesans and everyday scenes, situates the figures within a modest interior that hints at contemporary interior design.