Enjoying the Evening Cool Along the Sumida River - Kitagawa Utamaro
Archival giclée
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Description
A classic Ukiyo-e triptych by Kitagawa Utamaro, depicting a serene evening scene along the Sumida River in Edo.
This woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro captures a scene of leisure along the Sumida River in Edo. The composition is a triptych, presenting a panoramic view of figures gathered at the water's edge during the summer heat. Utamaro, a master of the bijin-ga genre, focuses on the grace of the women and children as they navigate the riverbank. The figures are depicted with the elongated proportions and refined features characteristic of the artist's mature style.
In the background, the Ryogoku Bridge spans the river, with numerous boats visible on the water. These vessels, illuminated by lanterns, suggest the popular practice of evening boating to escape the humidity of the city. The artist employs a balanced arrangement, placing the figures in the foreground to create a sense of proximity while maintaining a clear view of the river activities behind them. The use of line is precise, defining the folds of the kimonos and the delicate expressions of the subjects. The colour palette remains restrained, relying on subtle tones that allow the viewer to focus on the composition and the social atmosphere of the scene.
Utamaro was highly regarded for his ability to capture the psychological nuance of his subjects. Here, the interaction between the adults and children provides a narrative quality to the print. The work serves as a record of urban life in late eighteenth-century Japan, documenting both the fashion of the period and the customs associated with seasonal recreation. The print demonstrates the technical skill involved in multi-block printing, with each sheet of the triptych aligning to form a cohesive image of life in Edo.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
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Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Enjoying the Evening Cool Along the Sumida River - Kitagawa Utamaro
Artist Biography
Kitagawa Utamaro
Almost nothing is certain about his early life. He was born around 1753, possibly in Edo, possibly in Kyoto, possibly in Kawagoe. He began publishing prints in the 1770s under the guidance of the publisher Tsutaya Juzaburo, who recognised what Utamaro could do with a portrait of a woman.
What he could do was unprecedented. He invented the okubi-e format: large head-and-shoulders portraits of individual women, mostly from the Yoshiwara pleasure district, printed in close-up with minimal background. Before Utamaro, bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) showed groups of figures in full length. He isolated the face, the tilt of the head, the expression. The prints are psychologically specific in a way that had not existed in Japanese printmaking.
He also published books of insect studies and volumes of shunga (erotica), and he made portraits of ordinary town women, not just courtesans. Ohisa and Okita, two shopgirls who appeared in his Three Beauties of the Present Day, became famous across Edo because of his prints. He turned real people into celebrities, which may be the first documented instance of an artist functioning as a kind of media platform.
Tsutaya Juzaburo died in 1797. Utamaro was reportedly devastated. Some critics feel his work never reached the same level afterward. He produced over two thousand prints in his career.
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