Woman Reading a Letter under a Mosquito Net

ca. 1798

Not on view

Utamaro portrays a woman who is concentrating intensely on a letter. Her entire body leans forward, and she firmly grasps the letter, holding it close to her face. The mosquito net works as a device that keeps the woman away from the light, increasing her anxiety and desire to move closer to it. The light from the lantern spreads out in a triangle, highlighting the woman's intense expression and creating a dramatic effect.

Artwork Details

喜多川歌麿画蚊帳の中の文読み美人
Title: Woman Reading a Letter under a Mosquito Net
Artist: Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, ca. 1754–1806)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: ca. 1798
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: H. 15 in. (38.1 cm); W. 10 in. (25.4 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Object Number: JP1659
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Kitagawa Utamaro

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“Preparing Food for the Warbler,” from the album Men’s Stamping Dance (Otoko dōka, uguisu no esa suri)

, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Page from a woodblock printed book; ink and color on paper, Japan — “Preparing Food for the Warbler,” from the album Men’s Stamping Dance (Otoko dōka, uguisu no esa suri)
Kitagawa Utamaro
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The Lady Tomimoto Toyohina Reading a Letter, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — The Lady Tomimoto Toyohina Reading a Letter
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Women Preparing Sashimi, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Women Preparing Sashimi
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In the Kitchen, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Right-hand sheet of a diptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan — In the Kitchen
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Girl Fishers and Bathers, Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese, Triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper, Japan — Girl Fishers and Bathers
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1791

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