Who painted Uguisu|風流小鳥合鶯|Japanese Bush Warbler?

Uguisu|風流小鳥合鶯|Japanese Bush Warbler was painted by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1780.

Where can I see Uguisu|風流小鳥合鶯|Japanese Bush Warbler?

Uguisu|風流小鳥合鶯|Japanese Bush Warbler is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Uguisu|風流小鳥合鶯|Japanese Bush Warbler?

Uguisu|風流小鳥合鶯|Japanese Bush Warbler is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Uguisu|風流小鳥合鶯|Japanese Bush Warbler

Kitagawa Utamaro , 1780

Uguisu|風流小鳥合鶯|Japanese Bush Warbler is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kitagawa Utamaro. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Uguisu (Japanese Bush Warbler) is a woodblock print created by Kitagawa Utamaro in 1780, now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. The print depicts a serene domestic scene featuring two women engaged in everyday activities.

Subject & Meaning

The scene portrays two women in traditional kimonos, one seated with a cloth and stacked wooden boxes in a tub, the other standing with a fan, leaning on a pole. A bird (Japanese Bush Warbler) perches on the boxes, and a nearby plant adds to the tranquil atmosphere, suggesting a moment of quiet, everyday life.

Technique & Style

Utamaro employed flat, vibrant colors and clean lines to maintain simplicity while conveying liveliness. The women's natural, relaxed poses capture a sense of a fleeting moment, characteristic of Utamaro's observational approach.

History & Provenance

Created in 1780, the print is currently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, though its history prior to acquisition is not detailed here.

Context

This work reflects late 18th-century Japanese ukiyo-e aesthetics, focusing on the beauty of everyday life, particularly the lives of women, a common theme in Utamaro's oeuvre.

Legacy

While specific influence of 'Uguisu' is not highlighted, it contributes to Utamaro's reputation for capturing intimate, natural moments in the lives of women during the Edo period.