Statue of the Bodhisattva Fugen (Fugenzō) - Kitagawa Utamaro
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
A 1790 woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro depicting the Bodhisattva Fugen, featuring elegant calligraphy and a muted, atmospheric aesthetic.
This print by Kitagawa Utamaro, dating from 1790, represents a departure from the artist's better-known bijin-ga, or portraits of beautiful women. The work depicts the Bodhisattva Fugen, known in Sanskrit as Samantabhadra, a figure associated with meditation and practice in Buddhist tradition. The composition is restrained, focusing on the calligraphic title block on the left, which provides the work with its formal identity. The background features a dark, weathered texture, suggesting the aged surface of a physical statue or a textile covering, punctuated by subtle, repeating floral motifs that offer a sense of quietude.
Utamaro was a master of the Ukiyo-e school, primarily active in the Edo period. While he is celebrated for his ability to capture the nuances of human expression and fashion, this piece demonstrates his versatility in handling religious subject matter. The print employs a muted palette, relying on the contrast between the pale, aged paper of the title strip and the deep, atmospheric tones of the main field. The lines are precise, reflecting the technical skill required for woodblock carving during this era. The inclusion of the title block, written in elegant Japanese script, serves as a structural anchor for the visual field. This print offers a glimpse into the broader cultural and spiritual interests of the late eighteenth-century Japanese public, moving beyond the ephemeral nature of the floating world to engage with more permanent, meditative themes. The condition of the original, with its visible creases and signs of age, adds a layer of historical authenticity to the piece, making it a compelling example of Edo-period graphic design.
Return policy
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.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
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
Statue of the Bodhisattva Fugen (Fugenzō) - 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.
Why Choose Us ?
Damage-free delivery guarantee
Fast Shipping
Museum-Quality Materials
You May Also Like