1784
ink
paper
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
南四季 夏景|The Four Seasons in Southern Edo: A Summer Scene (Minami shiki; Natsu [no] kei) is a 1784 ink by Utagawa Toyokuni I, a Romanticism work, depicting Summer, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This print shows two scenes of women in long robes and straw hats, walking and sitting by a waterfront. The left side has three women holding fans, their robes patterned with flowers and leaves. The right side shows one woman kneeling with a child, while two others stand nearby with lanterns. In the background, ships and buildings line the shore, with paper lanterns hanging above. The women’s robes are detailed with brushstrokes, and the artist used soft colors like pinks and greens. The scenes look calm, like a quiet day by the water. Next, look up Utagawa Toyokuni I to see more of his work.
Toyokuni was a born showman who made sure the energy of Edo’s kabuki stage never faded on paper.
See the richer artist page
