{"product_id":"mother-and-her-children-in-front-of-a-freestanding-screen-of-a-chinese-lion-kitagawa-utamaro","title":"Mother and her Children in Front of a Freestanding Screen of a Chinese Lion - Kitagawa Utamaro","description":"\u003cp\u003eA delicate woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro depicting a mother and her children before a decorative screen featuring a Chinese lion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis woodblock print by Kitagawa Utamaro captures a domestic scene defined by the juxtaposition of human tenderness and mythical power. A mother and her two children occupy the foreground, their figures rendered with the graceful, elongated lines characteristic of Utamaro's mature style. They are positioned before a large, freestanding screen that dominates the composition. The screen depicts a Chinese lion, or shishi, a creature often associated with protection and strength in East Asian iconography. The contrast between the gentle interaction of the mother and children and the fierce, swirling mane of the lion creates a visual tension that is both balanced and engaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtamaro, a master of the ukiyo-e genre, is widely recognised for his ability to convey psychological depth within his subjects. In this work, the figures are depicted in a quiet, intimate moment, their postures suggesting a sense of calm despite the imposing presence of the lion behind them. The print demonstrates the artist's technical precision, particularly in the fine linework used to define the children's robes and the mother's hair. The inclusion of a small table with a mirror and peacock feathers to the left adds a layer of domestic detail, grounding the scene in a specific, albeit stylised, interior setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition is notable for its use of negative space, which allows the viewer to focus on the interplay between the human subjects and the decorative screen. The print serves as an example of the sophisticated aesthetic prevalent in late eighteenth-century Japan, where everyday life was frequently elevated through artistic representation. By combining elements of the supernatural with the mundane, Utamaro invites the viewer to consider the protective nature of the family unit against the backdrop of traditional folklore. This museum-grade print preserves the subtle tonal variations of the original woodblock, ensuring the clarity of the artist's brushwork and the composition's overall harmony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-courtesan-from-a-collection-of-beautiful-women-of-the-yoshiwara-suzuki-harunobu\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eThe Courtesan (From A Collection of Beautiful Women of the Yoshiwara) - Suzuki Harunobu — Suzuki Harunobu\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/so-shiseki-picture-album-so-shiseki\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eSō Shiseki Picture Album - Sō Shiseki — Sō Shiseki\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kitagawa Utamaro","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":59086358872399,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59086359986511,"sku":null,"price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":59086360019279,"sku":null,"price":49.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59086360052047,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59086360084815,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59086360117583,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59086360150351,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59086360183119,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59086360215887,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59086360248655,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":59086360281423,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59086360314191,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Mother-and-her-Children-in-Front-of-a-Freestanding-Screen-of-a-Chinese-Lion_Poster_CompositorV1_1791682615315.jpg?v=1791683198","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/products\/mother-and-her-children-in-front-of-a-freestanding-screen-of-a-chinese-lion-kitagawa-utamaro","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}