喜多川歌麿画 蚊帳の中の文読み美人|Woman Reading a Letter under a Mosquito Net

Kitagawa Utamaro

ca. 1798 · Woodblock print; ink and color on paper · Asian Art

Utamaro portrays a woman who is concentrating intensely on a letter. Her entire body leans forward, and she firmly grasps the letter, holding it close to her face. The mosquito net works as a device that keeps the woman away from the light, increasing her anxiety and desire to move closer to it. The light from the lantern spreads out in a triangle, highlighting the woman's intense expression and creating a dramatic effect.

Artist

Kitagawa Utamaro

Date

ca. 1798

Medium

Woodblock print; ink and color on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929