Ancient Artifacts & Antiquities
Lot 336:
Original UTAGAWA KUNISADA Ukiyo-e Japanese Woodblock Print - Edo Period Early 1800's
Original UTAGAWA KUNISADA Ukiyo-e Japanese Woodblock Print – Edo Period early 1800’s. UTAGAWA KUNISADA (Toyokuni III) Japanese Woodblock Print of the Pleasure District in Tokyo. Consistent with ukiyo-e style ("Pictures of the floating world") this woodblock print depicts a scene from the pleasure district in Tokyo, including kabuki actors and courtesans. Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865), later known as Toyokuni III, was arguably the most popular and commercially successful ukiyo-e print designer of 19th?century Japan. This woodblock print measures 14" by 9 3/4" approximately. Has age toning with minor wear to corners and edges. Beni is a traditional Japanese red pigment made from safflower petals. It was widely used in Edo?period cosmetics and textiles, and it also appeared in ukiyo?e woodblock prints, especially for lips and makeup on bijin (beautiful women), kimono patterns and decorative accents. The pink blotches are most likely from an accident with beni dye. Utagawa Kunisada used Beni dyes especially in the late 1700’s to early 1800’s. Beni dyes are notoriously unstable.
Condition: Authentic
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