“Hanamurasaki of the Tamaya,” from the series Seven Komachi of the Pleasure Quarters (Seirō Nana Komachi)

Description

Hanamurasaki of the Tamaya turns her inclined face within a close portrait by Kitagawa Utamaro. A large black coiffure and golden pins create a strong upper shape, while pale and red floral clothing offers a softer pattern below. The gray background leaves these contrasts clear, concentrating the image around the face, hair and richly varied fabric.

Made around 1790, the ink-and-color woodblock print belongs to Seven Komachi of the Pleasure Quarters. The series title gives the named woman a place among related portraits, while her particular appearance remains the subject of this design. Utamaro balances a substantial coiffure with the more delicate direction of the face, allowing posture to animate a tightly framed likeness. Ornament and pattern remain abundant, but the individual figure keeps the image’s focus.

Read our guide to giclée prints or browse the Kitagawa Utamaro collection.