Women making dresses 

Kitagawa Utamaro created this woodblock print, titled "Women making dresses," during the Edo period in Japan, a time marked by relative peace and flourishing arts. At first glance, we are presented with a serene domestic scene, but look a little closer. Utamaro was renowned for his portraits of women, particularly those of the pleasure districts. These women aren't just anonymous figures; they have names and stories, even if Utamaro doesn’t tell us what they are. Notice how Utamaro challenges traditional representations by depicting women engaged in everyday labor, rather than idealized portraits of leisure. There is a sensuality to how their necks are exposed, a subtle but palpable erotic charge, perhaps? Here, the act of creating clothing becomes a central theme, reflecting the social and economic roles of women in Japanese society. Utamaro invites us to contemplate the intricate interplay between labor, beauty, and identity, capturing a fleeting moment of intimacy.