Artwork

Gaikokujin yoru benkyo no zu|Foreigners Studying at Night

Gaikokujin yoru benkyo no zu|Foreigners Studying at Night, by Utagawa Yoshikazu, ink, 1861
Gaikokujin yoru benkyo no zu|Foreigners Studying at Night, by Utagawa Yoshikazu, ink, 1861

Gaikokujin yoru benkyo no zu|Foreigners Studying at Night is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Yoshikazu. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Gaikokujin yoru benkyo no zu, or Foreigners Studying at Night, is a woodblock print created by Utagawa Yoshikazu in 1861. The print is executed in ink and color on paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a scene of foreigners studying at night, featuring a woman standing before a mirror, her reflection showing a different hairstyle and attire. The surrounding room is furnished with a clock, framed pictures, and a candlelit desk where others are seated.

Technique & Style

The artist employed bold colors and sharp lines to create a striking contrast between the woman's actual appearance and her reflection. The use of line work, potentially including techniques like cross-hatching, contributes to the shading and overall visual effect.

Artist & collection