Who painted 青楼仁和嘉女芸者之部扇売団扇売麦つき|The Niwaka Performers?

青楼仁和嘉女芸者之部扇売団扇売麦つき|The Niwaka Performers was painted by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1795.

Where can I see 青楼仁和嘉女芸者之部扇売団扇売麦つき|The Niwaka Performers?

青楼仁和嘉女芸者之部扇売団扇売麦つき|The Niwaka Performers is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 青楼仁和嘉女芸者之部扇売団扇売麦つき|The Niwaka Performers?

青楼仁和嘉女芸者之部扇売団扇売麦つき|The Niwaka Performers is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

青楼仁和嘉女芸者之部扇売団扇売麦つき|The Niwaka Performers

Kitagawa Utamaro , 1795

青楼仁和嘉女芸者之部扇売団扇売麦つき|The Niwaka Performers is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, created around 1795 by Kitagawa Utamaro, captures a serene domestic scene within an entertainment district, featuring three women engaged in distinct activities amidst a softly illuminated interior.

Subject & Meaning

The print portrays everyday workers in an entertainment district, rather than famous individuals. A geisha waves a hand fan, another sells round fans, and a third labors at a stamp mill, highlighting the mundane aspects of their lives.

Technique & Style

Utamaro's characteristic attention to detail is evident in the single brushstroke ink technique used for the fan ribs, with no underlying pencil sketch. The intricately patterned robes with tiny flowers and the subtle, warm glow of the paper walls further showcase his style.

History & Provenance

Produced for a broad, everyday audience rather than exclusively for collectors, this print reflects Utamaro's approach to making art accessible. The exact provenance is not detailed here, focusing instead on its intended market.

Context

Part of Utamaro's genre scene works, this print offers a glimpse into the daily life of women in 18th-century Japanese entertainment districts, emphasizing their ordinary tasks and environments.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of this piece are not provided, Utamaro's works, including this print, are notable for their influence on the depiction of geisha and everyday life in Japanese art, encouraging viewers to explore similar 'geisha' prints for comparative analysis of his fabric rendering techniques.