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実競色乃美名家見　紙屋次兵衛　紀ノ国屋小春|Jihei of Kamiya Eloping with Koharu of Kinokuniya

Kitagawa Utamaro

1804

ink

paper

From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art

Romanticism Ukiyo-e Early 19th Century Genre Scene Lantern

Dominant colour

実競色乃美名家見　紙屋次兵衛　紀ノ国屋小春|Jihei of Kamiya Eloping with Koharu of Kinokuniya is a 1804 ink by Kitagawa Utamaro, a Romanticism work, depicting Lantern, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Kitagawa Utamaro
When & what style?: 1804 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Metropolitan Museum of Art

About this work

This print shows two figures in a close embrace. The person on top wears a dark, hooded cloak and a black hat, while the one below has a pale face and holds a small lantern. Their robes are simple but detailed, with soft pinks and creams. The lantern the lower figure holds is a tiny, glowing object—almost like a pocket-sized light. This print was made using woodblock printing, a common method in Japanese art. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how artists create depth with lines.