Stylish Amusements of the Four Seasons - Kitagawa Utamaro
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
A refined woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro, depicting two women in a boat, showcasing the artist's mastery of the bijin-ga genre.
Kitagawa Utamaro is widely recognised for his mastery of the bijin-ga genre, which focuses on the depiction of beautiful women. This print, part of the series Stylish Amusements of the Four Seasons, captures a moment of quiet social interaction. The composition employs the characteristic elongated proportions and refined facial features that define Utamaro's mature style.
The figures are positioned within a boat, a common setting for leisure activities in Edo-period Japan. One woman sits in a relaxed posture, her gaze directed away from the viewer, while her companion stands, holding a folding fan inscribed with calligraphy. The artist pays close attention to the textile patterns of their kimonos, using varied line weights to distinguish between the heavy, dark outer garments and the lighter, patterned under-layers. The colour palette is restrained, relying on subtle shifts in tone to create depth within the flat, graphic space typical of woodblock printing.
Utamaro's ability to convey psychological nuance through posture and gesture is evident here. The interaction between the two women feels natural, suggesting a private conversation or a shared moment of contemplation. The print demonstrates the technical precision of the ukiyo-e tradition, where the collaboration between the artist, carver, and printer resulted in works of exceptional clarity. This piece provides a window into the aesthetic values of the period, where fashion, literature, and leisure were closely intertwined. The inclusion of text on the fan adds a layer of narrative, inviting the viewer to consider the cultural context of the scene beyond its visual appeal. As a fine art print, this work maintains the balance of form and pattern that made Utamaro a central figure in the development of Japanese printmaking.
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
Stylish Amusements of the Four Seasons - 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