Net Fishing at Night - Kitagawa Utamaro
Archival giclée
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Description
A classic Ukiyo-e woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro depicting figures engaged in night fishing, characterised by delicate line work and a serene atmosphere.
Kitagawa Utamaro, a master of the Ukiyo-e genre, produced this woodblock print during the late eighteenth century. The composition captures a nocturnal scene on a boat, where figures are engaged in the activity of net fishing. Utamaro is recognised for his ability to render human form with grace and psychological depth, a trait visible in the expressions of the individuals aboard the vessel. The print employs a restricted colour palette, typical of the period, which allows the focus to remain on the interplay of line and form.
The scene is framed by the large, geometric structure of the fishing net, which provides a visual anchor for the composition. The figures are arranged in a manner that suggests a quiet, shared labour, with the soft light of the crescent moon providing the only illumination. The artist uses calligraphic lines to define the folds of the garments and the delicate features of the faces, demonstrating his technical precision. The background is kept minimal, suggesting the vastness of the water under the cover of darkness.
This work belongs to a broader tradition of Japanese printmaking that sought to document the daily lives of people across various social strata. Utamaro often focused on the inhabitants of the pleasure quarters, yet his interest extended to the working classes as well. By placing these figures in a natural setting, he shifts the viewer's attention toward the quiet dignity of their task. The print is a fine example of the technical mastery achieved by Edo-period artisans, who balanced the requirements of commercial production with the artistic demands of composition and narrative. The subtle gradations in the sky and the careful placement of the figures create a sense of stillness, inviting the viewer to observe the scene with patience.
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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.
Care and materials
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
Net Fishing at Night - 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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