Prins Genji en Yugao 1795 - 1800

This woodblock print titled ‘Prins Genji en Yugao’ was created by Chōkōsai Eishō in the late 18th century. The composition is dominated by three standing female figures in the foreground, their placement creating a rhythm across the visual field. The background features a low fence entwined with foliage and flowers. The print employs a sophisticated play of lines, particularly in the rendering of the women’s garments. The lines create a sense of movement and flow, contrasting with the more static, vertical lines of the fence. This tension between fluidity and rigidity structures the image. The subdued color palette, characterized by soft pinks, grays, and greens, evokes a serene and melancholic atmosphere. The overall flatness, typical of ukiyo-e prints, underscores the artwork's engagement with surface and pattern. The arrangement of the figures, along with the careful detailing of their attire, encourages a semiotic reading of social roles and aesthetic values. The composition is not merely decorative; it’s a constructed system of signs.