Mannen zittend in een kamer by Kitagawa Utamaro

Mannen zittend in een kamer 1804

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print, woodblock-print

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portrait

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print

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asian-art

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ukiyo-e

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woodblock-print

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orientalism

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genre-painting

Dimensions: height 226 mm, width 158 mm

Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain

Kitagawa Utamaro produced this woodblock print, "Men Sitting in a Room," sometime before his death in 1806. It depicts a group of men in what appears to be a formal or ceremonial setting. Utamaro was a leading printmaker of the Ukiyo-e style in Japan. The Ukiyo-e tradition gained popularity in the urbanizing Edo period, which saw the rise of a merchant class, new forms of entertainment, and vibrant artistic subcultures. The style often depicted scenes from urban life, the theater, and the pleasure quarters. Here, Utamaro presents a scene of male camaraderie within the strict confines of a highly structured society. The setting suggests a tea house, a space where social and artistic exchanges took place. Yet, understanding the nuances of social status, dress codes, and implied relationships would require a deep dive into the visual and textual archives of the Edo period. These sources help us to understand the intricate cultural codes embedded in these images.

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