{"product_id":"courtesans-beneath-wisteria-arbor-kitagawa-utamaro","title":"Courtesans beneath Wisteria Arbor - Kitagawa Utamaro","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro, depicting three women in elegant kimonos beneath a wisteria arbor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKitagawa Utamaro remains one of the most recognised figures of the Ukiyo-e movement, particularly for his mastery of bijin-ga, or pictures of beautiful women. This woodblock print captures a quiet moment within the pleasure districts of Edo-period Japan. Three women are positioned beneath a wisteria arbor, their forms rendered with the elongated proportions and graceful lines that define Utamaro's mature style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition focuses on the interaction between the figures. One woman sits upon a bench, holding a pipe, while the others stand nearby. Their kimonos display varied patterns, demonstrating the artist's attention to textile detail and the technical capabilities of the woodblock medium. Above them, the wisteria blossoms and paper lanterns create a decorative frame, grounding the scene in a specific seasonal context. The colour palette is restrained, relying on soft greens, muted reds, and neutral tones to maintain a sense of balance and composure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtamaro moved away from the full-body depictions common in earlier Ukiyo-e, choosing instead to focus on the psychological presence of his subjects. By cropping the scene and using the arbor to compress the space, he directs the viewer's attention to the subtle expressions and gestures of the women. This print reflects the aesthetic values of the late eighteenth century, where the lives of courtesans were documented with both stylistic precision and a degree of human observation. The work serves as a record of the fashion, social habits, and artistic sensibilities of the era, produced through the collaborative efforts of the artist, carver, and printer.\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=\"\/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=\"\/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":58936915362127,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58937239765327,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58937239798095,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58937239830863,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58937239863631,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58937239896399,"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":58937239929167,"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":58937239961935,"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":58937239994703,"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":58937240027471,"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":58937240060239,"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":58937240093007,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Courtesans-beneath-Wisteria-Arbor_Poster_CompositorV1_1790710907533.jpg?v=1790712320","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/courtesans-beneath-wisteria-arbor-kitagawa-utamaro","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}