Portret van Tomimoto Toyohina 1792 - 1796

This is Kitagawa Utamaro’s woodblock print, “Portret van Tomimoto Toyohina”. Utamaro created this portrait of Tomimoto Toyohina, a celebrity of her time, during the late 18th century in Japan. During the Edo period, there was an evolving intersection of art, entertainment, and female identity. Actresses and female performers, like Toyohina, became popular figures, influencing fashion and culture. Utamaro elevates Toyohina to an iconic status, capturing the quiet moment of her reading a letter. The print reflects how women were both celebrated and confined by societal expectations. Utamaro masterfully portrays her humanity. The intimate act of reading becomes a window into her private world. Consider how this portrait invites us to reflect on the gaze, celebrity culture, and the nuanced representation of women in art.