Kitchen Scene 1794 - 1795

"Kitchen Scene" is an ōban diptych woodblock print by the renowned Japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro, created between 1794 and 1795. The artwork, currently housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, captures the daily lives of women in a bustling kitchen setting. Utamaro's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the intricate patterns of the women's clothing, the delicate features of their faces, and the realistic portrayal of the kitchen utensils and furnishings. The composition, divided into two panels, creates a sense of depth and movement, drawing the viewer into the scene. The print exemplifies Utamaro's mastery of the "bijin-ga" genre, a style of Japanese art focused on depicting beautiful women.