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Geisha by a Circular Window, from the series Five Beautiful Modern Women

Geisha by a Circular Window, from the series Five Beautiful Modern Women

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Utagawa Toyokuni II

Toyokuni II was the student and adopted son of Utagawa Toyokuni. His kabuki actor prints and pictures of beauties strongly resemble his teacher’s work and are at times indistinguishable. This visually distinct composition is a “blue-printed picture” done almost completely in shades of blue pigment. This type of print was very popular in Edo during the Tenpo period (1830–44) and was created using an imported pigment known as Berlin blue. In addition to the blues, the print includes selective accents of red ink in the undergarment, obi sash, hair tie, and on the beauty’s lips. The standing figure is placed in front of a traditional Chinese-style round window with a Japanese cuckoo and hanging wisteria visible through the large opening. Both bird and plant have literary associations with the spring season. Tortoises, a symbol of longevity, can be seen at the bottom of the sliding door on the right.
Artist
Utagawa Toyokuni II
(Japanese, 1777 - 1835)
Title
Geisha by a Circular Window, from the series Five Beautiful Modern Women
Date
1830 - 1835
Medium
Color woodcut
Dimensions
380 x 263 mm Overall
Credit
Bequest of Abigail Van Vleck
Accession No.
1984.1166
Classification
Prints
Geography
Japan

Related

By 1943, acquired by Edward Burr Van Vleck (Madison, WI); 1943, passed through inheritance to Edward’s son, John H. Van Vleck (Cambridge, MA); 1980, passed through inheritance to John’s wife, Abigail P. Van Vleck (Cambridge, MA); 1984, bequeathed to the Elvehjem Museum of Art [now called Chazen Museum of Art]

  • Mueller, Laura. "Competition and Collaboration: Japanese Prints of the Utagawa School." Leiden, The Netherlands: Hotei Publishing, 2007. p. 186, no. 174
  • Hitachi, Ltd. "Ukiyoe" [calendar]. Japan: Hitachi, Ltd., 2009. August

  • Competition and Collaboration: Japanese Prints of the Utagawa School: Chazen Museum of Art, 11/3/2007–1/6/2008

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