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Kitagawa Utamaro - Portrait of Beauty, Hanamurasaki at Tama-ya
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Kitagawa Utamaro was a Japanese artist. He is one of the most highly regarded designers of ukiyo-e woodblock prints and paintings, and is best known for his bijin ōkubi-e "large-headed pictures of beautiful women" of the 1790s. He also produced nature studies, particularly illustrated books of insects.

Little is known of Utamaro's life. His work began to appear in the 1770s, and he rose to prominence in the early 1790s with his portraits of beauties with exaggerated, elongated features. He produced over 2000 known prints and was one of the few ukiyo-e artists to achieve fame throughout Japan in his lifetime. In 1804 he was arrested and manacled for fifty days for making illegal prints depicting the 16th-century military ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and died two years later.

Utamaro's work reached Europe in the mid-nineteenth century, where it was very popular, enjoying particular acclaim in France. He influenced the European Impressionists, particularly with his use of partial views and his emphasis on light and shade, which they imitated. The reference to the "Japanese influence" among these artists often refers to the work of Utamaro.

More Artworks by Kitagawa Utamaro (View all 165 Artworks)

Towel (Tenuzui)

Towel (Tenuzui) (late 18th century – ca. 1806)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
Shinshi-bari – Cloth-stretcher

Shinshi-bari – Cloth-stretcher (1793-1804)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
The Courtesan Takigawa of Ogiya (from the series Seven Aspects of Komachi in the Green Houses)

The Courtesan Takigawa of Ogiya (from the series Seven Aspects of Komachi in the Green Houses) (1797 or 1798)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
Yubi-sashi – Child pointing

Yubi-sashi – Child pointing (1793-1804)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
Gion-dôfu – Gion bean curd

Gion-dôfu – Gion bean curd (1793-1804)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
Ogiya Hanaôgi – Hanaôgi of the Ôgiya (picture riddle)

Ogiya Hanaôgi – Hanaôgi of the Ôgiya (picture riddle) (1793-1804)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
Souvenir Print from Ōtsu; Benkei with Weaponry and a Demon with a Samisen

Souvenir Print from Ōtsu; Benkei with Weaponry and a Demon with a Samisen (late 18th century)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
Portrait of Beauty, Karakoto at Chôji-ya

Portrait of Beauty, Karakoto at Chôji-ya (late 18th century – ca. 1806)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
Woodblock Printer, Distributing New Prints

Woodblock Printer, Distributing New Prints (1803)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
Elegant Pleasures of the Four Seasons

Elegant Pleasures of the Four Seasons (c. 1782)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
Three Geisha

Three Geisha (late 18th century – ca. 1806)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
Kuchi-beni – Painting the lips

Kuchi-beni – Painting the lips (1793-1804)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
Mother Teaching her Daughter Calligraphy, from the series, Twelve Occupations of Women

Mother Teaching her Daughter Calligraphy, from the series, Twelve Occupations of Women (c. 1798)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
The Courtesan Takigawa of Ogiya (from the series A Selection of Beautiful Women of the East)

The Courtesan Takigawa of Ogiya (from the series A Selection of Beautiful Women of the East) (c. 1798)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
The Courtesan Ichikawa of the Matsuba Establishment

The Courtesan Ichikawa of the Matsuba Establishment (1796)

Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806)
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