Artwork

青楼美人六花撰岡本屋内重岡|A Courtesan with Morning-glories on the Background

青楼美人六花撰岡本屋内重岡|A Courtesan with Morning-glories on the Background is an ink print by the Baroque artist Utamaro II. It dates from 1723 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

A woodblock print dating from 1723, attributed to the artist known as Utamara II, depicts a seated courtesan framed by climbing morning‑glory vines. The work is executed in ink and color on paper and is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is presented in a three‑quarter profile, wearing a robe of bright green and black patterned with gold motifs. Her hair is styled in a high coiffure with a few loose strands, and she holds a folding fan, suggesting a moment of poised leisure typical of ukiyo‑e portrayals of pleasure‑district women.

Technique & Style

The print demonstrates meticulous line work, with fine dots and delicate strokes that render the texture of the silk‑like garment. The background foliage consists of stylized green leaves and white morning‑glory blossoms, rendered in a flat, decorative manner that reflects the conventions of early eighteenth‑century Japanese woodcut aesthetics.

History & Provenance

Created during the Edo period, the piece was produced by the Osaka‑based publisher Okamoto‑ya. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings in the twentieth century, where it has been catalogued as an example of Utamara II’s contribution to the courtesan genre within ukiyo‑e printmaking.