Concubine Mekame in snow with umbrella 1830

"Concubine Mekame in Snow with Umbrella" is a woodblock print created in 1830 by the renowned Japanese artist Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865). The print depicts a beautiful woman, Mekame, dressed in a vibrant green kimono and holding a colorful umbrella, standing in a snowy landscape. This ukiyo-e artwork, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies Kunisada’s mastery of depicting everyday life and the beauty of nature in Edo-period Japan. The delicate snow falling around Mekame adds a sense of tranquility and serenity to the scene, contrasting with the vivid colors of her attire and the umbrella. This work is a testament to Kunisada's skill in capturing fleeting moments of beauty and elegance.