Yubi-sashi – Child pointing
1793-1804
Utamaro, the absolute master of capturing beautiful women in Edo-period Japan, gives us a surprisingly candid moment here. Instead of a stiff, formal portrait, we see a woman in a chic pink plaid kimono being playfully interrogated by a chubby baby. The little one, wrapped in a red blanket, is pointing a tiny finger right at her face, while she holds her smoking pipe with a look of patient amusement. It’s a charming glimpse into the softer, domestic side of Utamaro’s work, proving that even the most elegant figures had to deal with toddlers.
- Technique
- Woodblock print
Views: 4