A Beauty Looking Down upon a Young Man Reading a Love Letter

ca. 1771

Not on view

Toyoharu is known for incorporating Western perspective into his prints (uki-e), as may be observed here in the depiction of the sea in the distance. His graceful, willowy images of women remind us of the delicate beauties of Suzuki Harunobu (1725–1770).

The halberd that the woman holds and the shape of the window behind the couple are Chinese and may suggest a parody (mitate) of a Chinese subject.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: A Beauty Looking Down upon a Young Man Reading a Love Letter
Artist: Utagawa Toyoharu (Japanese, 1735–1814)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1771
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print (pillar print); ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 26 1/4 x 4 1/4 in. (66.7 x 10.8 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: The Francis Lathrop Collection, Purchase, Frederick C. Hewitt Fund, 1911
Object Number: JP675
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Perspective Print: Shinobazu Pond, Utagawa Toyoharu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Perspective Print: Shinobazu Pond
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Battle of Ichi–no–tani, March 21, 1184, Utagawa Toyoharu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Battle of Ichi–no–tani, March 21, 1184
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Tea–house; Scene entitled: "Viewing the Moon in mid–autumn", Utagawa Toyoharu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Tea–house; Scene entitled: "Viewing the Moon in mid–autumn"
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Sakaichō Fukiyachō Kaomise Yoshibai no Zu, Utagawa Toyoharu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Sakaichō Fukiyachō Kaomise Yoshibai no Zu
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ca. 1780

Cooling at Nakazu/ Kabuki Theater, Utagawa Toyoharu Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Cooling at Nakazu/ Kabuki Theater
Utagawa Toyoharu

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