7020 - Japanese Ukiyo-e color woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro: “Courtesan from Yoshiwara,” Japan, Edo period, ca. 1795

Japanese Ukiyo-e color woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro: “Courtesan from Yoshiwara,” Japan, Edo period, ca. 1795 Kitagawa Utamaro, Japan, ca. 1753–1806. Original Japanese color woodblock print on paper, known as ukiyo-e / nishiki-e. The print depicts an elegant courtesan from the Yoshiwara red-light district in Edo, present-day Tokyo. The woman wears an elaborate hairstyle with a wide hair ornament and a dark-colored kimono featuring flying cranes. She holds a fan in her hand; to her right are flowering branches and what appears to be a basket or container. In terms of subject matter, the print belongs to the Bijin-ga genre, i.e., depictions of beautiful women. On the certificate of authenticity on the reverse, it is labeled “Kitagawa Utamaro - A Courtesan of the Yoshiwara.” There it is dated “published c. 1795, Edo era ukiyo-e.” The technique is listed as color woodblock print. The signature in the lower left corner reads “Utamaro hitsu” in Japanese; translated: “Utamaro’s brush” or “drawn by Utamaro.” The inscription in the upper right, as far as can be discerned, refers to Yoshiwara / the “green houses,” i.e., the historic red-light district. However, due to aging, wear, and poor contrast, the characters are not entirely legible. Unframed. Age and Origin: Japan, Edo period, circa 1795. Kitagawa Utamaro is considered one of the most important masters of Japanese color woodblock printing and is particularly known for his finely composed portraits of women, courtesans, and beauties. The print shows visible signs of age and wear. The paper exhibits significant yellowing, stains, browning, creases and fold lines, scuffing, paper loss, fading of colors, and general surface aging.