Enjoying the Cool at the Ryogoku Bridge II

Utamaro was born in Edo (Tokyo) the third year of Horeki (1753). When he was a boy he was known by the name of Yusuke, later assuming a nom de plume... more

by Chris Kusik

Title

Enjoying the Cool at the Ryogoku Bridge II

Artist

Chris Kusik

Medium

Painting - Wood Block

Description

Utamaro was born in Edo (Tokyo) the third year of Horeki (1753). When he was a boy he was known by the name of Yusuke, later assuming a nom de plume "Shioku". In his earlier days he was with a color prints store at Toriaburacho. His style of art first derived its source from the Kano School, but later he became a pupil of Sekien Toriyama, and founded an original style of his own, directing his attention to Ukiyoe. It was not until this time that the ancient art of Nishikie attained a most brilliaant degree of progress. In those days pictures of dramatic players were in great vogue with the general public, and there was scarcely an artist who did not curry favor with the public popularity and consult his own material interests by painting such pictures. Utamaro, however, being of a strong fortified character, defied all such worldly vogue, and naturally painted not a single picture of such actors throughout his whole life. It must be recognized that in this respect he surpassed all of his contemporaries. His works are quite representitiive of the costoms and manners of the time, and his remarkable dexterityin painting beauties commanded the highest adoration, and even in those days his fame resounded far abroad. The present reproduction of his "Enjoying the Cool at the Ryogoku Bridge" (consisting of two parts) is the most representative of his works. The scene under the bridge in this edition completes the whole picture with that of under the bridge in the preceding one. The clearness of coloring, the soft, delicate lines, combined with the exceptional skill in printing, are well worth noting. He died on February 11th, the second year of Bunsei (1830) at age 81.

Uploaded

March 25th, 2013