{"product_id":"woman-holding-a-tortoise-shell-hair-comb-kitagawa-utamaro","title":"Woman Holding a Tortoise-shell Hair-comb - Kitagawa Utamaro","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro, depicting a woman in a moment of quiet reflection while holding a tortoise-shell comb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro captures a moment of quiet domesticity, focusing on a woman as she holds a large tortoise-shell comb near her face. Utamaro is recognised for his bijin-ga, or pictures of beautiful women, which often emphasised the psychological state of the subject through subtle gestures and expressions. In this composition, the comb acts as a framing device, drawing the viewer towards the subject's eyes and her carefully applied makeup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe print displays the technical precision characteristic of the Edo period. The artist employs a delicate line quality to define the facial features and the texture of the hair, which is styled in a voluminous, elaborate fashion. The background features a repeating floral pattern, providing a decorative contrast to the smooth, pale skin of the subject. The colour palette remains balanced, using soft earth tones and muted reds that allow the figure to remain the primary focus of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtamaro often experimented with the 'okubi-e' or large-head portrait style, which allowed for a more intimate engagement with the subject. By cropping the figure at the shoulders, the artist removes extraneous details, forcing an encounter with the woman's gaze. The inclusion of the comb, a common accessory for women of the period, adds a layer of narrative, suggesting a pause in a grooming ritual. This print reflects the aesthetic values of the Ukiyo-e school, where the depiction of urban life and the inhabitants of the pleasure quarters became a primary subject for artists. The work remains a clear example of the mastery of woodblock printing techniques, demonstrating the ability to convey texture, pattern, and human emotion through a limited number of printed blocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/de\/products\/ryogoku-bridge-and-the-great-riverbank-utagawa-hiroshige\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eRyōgoku Bridge and the Great Riverbank - Utagawa Hiroshige — Utagawa Hiroshige\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/de\/products\/a-boat-upon-the-waters-utagawa-kuniyoshi\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eA Boat upon the Waters - Utagawa Kuniyoshi — Utagawa Kuniyoshi\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kitagawa Utamaro","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58936852218191,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58937222168911,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58937222201679,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58937222234447,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58937222267215,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58937222299983,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58937222332751,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58937222365519,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58937222398287,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58937222431055,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58937222463823,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58937222496591,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Woman-Holding-a-Tortoise-shell-Hair-comb_Poster_CompositorV1_1790710868205.jpg?v=1790712200","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/de\/products\/woman-holding-a-tortoise-shell-hair-comb-kitagawa-utamaro","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}