Artwork

四季の花|Girls Entertained by Performers, from the illustrated book Flowers of the Four Seasons

四季の花|Girls Entertained by Performers, from the illustrated book Flowers of the Four Seasons is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Girls Entertained by Performers is a woodblock print from the illustrated book Flowers of the Four Seasons, created by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1801. The print is held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene scene of women watching a flute performance in a room with a garden view. The women's varied expressions suggest they are enjoying the quiet entertainment. The scene is a representation of a leisurely moment in everyday life.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employed bold colors and simple shapes to convey the scene. The women's kimonos feature vibrant floral designs, achieved through the use of multiple colors in the woodblock printing process.