Viewing Cherry Blossoms

1790

Not on view

At times the observer is the main subject. In this leaf from a book by Utamaro, a lively group of women takes in the view from a balcony in the Yoshiwara district. They crowd against the railing, some leaning over to call out to those below. The objects of their attention cannot be seen, but their presence is indicated by the parasols that bob among the sea of blossoming trees in the foreground. This depiction may be a humorous play on the convention of portraying women viewing cherry blossoms, because in this case the women are more interested in the passerby than in the celebrated flowers.

Artwork Details

Title: Viewing Cherry Blossoms
Artist: Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, ca. 1754–1806)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 1790
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: Image: 8 7/8 in. × 14 in. (22.5 × 35.6 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Object Number: JP1669
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Statue of the Bodhisattva Fugen (Fugenzō)普賢像, Kitagawa Utamaro 喜多川歌麿 Japanese, Polychrome woodblock printed book; ink and color on paper, Japan — Statue of the Bodhisattva Fugen (Fugenzō)普賢像
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“Preparing Food for the Warbler,” from the album Men’s Stamping Dance (Otoko dōka, uguisu no esa suri)

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The Lady Tomimoto Toyohina Reading a Letter, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — The Lady Tomimoto Toyohina Reading a Letter
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Women Preparing Sashimi, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Women Preparing Sashimi
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In the Kitchen, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Right-hand sheet of a diptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan — In the Kitchen
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ca. 1794–95

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