Young Mother Playing the Shamisen

ca. 1798
Kitagawa Utamaro

The prints of Utamaro (1753–1806) are mostly portraits of women, mothers with children and beautiful courtesans. His draughtsmanship is characterised by apparent simplicity and great sensitivity. In the print of a young mother playing the shamisen, Utamaro uses a special orange ink made with copper that emphasizes her soft clothing and contributes to the feeling of tenderness evoked by the scene.