Utamaro Kitagawa Portraits

Japanese Woodblock Printing

Utamaro Kitagawa (1753-1806) was an ukiyo-e artist noted for his thoughtful and detailed studies of women. Like many woodblock printers of the time, he became an artist's apprentice as a teen. At the age of 22 he published his first major work, a book cover for a kabuki play. After his success he started working as an in-house artist for major book pubishers.

As he gained prominence, he began to produce more work as an independent artist, indulging his talent for painting erotica, women, courtesans, and children. Kitagawa was also an accomplished naturalist who published several volumes of animal studies. He suffered two professioan blows that destroyed his artistic drive, effectively ending his career. One was the passing of his colleague and mentor Tsutaya Jūzaburō. The other stemmed legal prosecution after printing images associated with a banned historical novel. Japanese officials sentenced Kitagawa to 50 days in handcuffs as punishment for painting the concubines of a past ruler who has long since died. After his disgrace he ceased painting and died two years later. (Images courtesy of Allposters.com.)