Artwork

Woman Putting Out a Light (from the series Modern Customs: Frost Beneath the Stars)

Woman Putting Out a Light (from the series Modern Customs: Frost Beneath the Stars) is a print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Kunisada. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1930.201
Credit line: Bequest of Edward L. Whittemore

About this work

Overview

Woman Putting Out a Light is a print from Utagawa Kunisada's series Modern Customs: Frost Beneath the Stars, dating to circa 1820. It is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene domestic moment: a woman in a vibrant red kimono extinguishing a candle. Her attire and the simple, elegantly composed interior suggest a depiction of everyday life with attention to subtle, poetic details.

Technique & Style

Kunisada employs bold, vibrant colors and crisp lines to convey the woman's intent focus. The interplay of light, the flow of her kimono, and the minimalist setting exemplify the artist's balance of simplicity and nuanced detail.

History & Provenance

Created around 1820, the work is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.

Context

Part of the Modern Customs: Frost Beneath the Stars series, this print reflects Kunisada's exploration of contemporary everyday life in 19th-century Japan, blending traditional settings with modern themes of his time.