Print 1786 - 1854

Utagawa Kunisada made this woodblock print, sometime in the 19th century. It depicts a fashionable couple enjoying the evening breeze on a veranda. Kunisada was a leading printmaker in Edo-period Japan. He was deeply engaged in the popular culture of his time. He was part of a lineage of artists linked to the Utagawa School and its commercial printmaking enterprise. Kunisada was extremely productive, creating thousands of prints for a wide audience. They were sold in shops and at public events. His prints covered a wide range of subjects. He captured the city's vibrant social life and were known for their depictions of kabuki actors and beautiful women. This print offers a glimpse into the cultural landscape of Japan during a time of relative peace and economic growth, as well as the growth of its commercial art. To fully appreciate the social context of Kunisada's work, one can investigate the publishing houses, the theatrical world, and the urban demographics that shaped its production and reception. Such historical knowledge helps us to better understand the print's complex place in society.