A married man and a spinster 1799

This print of a married man and a spinster was made by Kitagawa Utamaro, a leading printmaker and artist in Japan during the late eighteenth century. Utamaro was working in the floating world of the ukiyo-e tradition, capturing intimate scenes of pleasure and entertainment. Utamaro created this print during the Edo period, when Japan was undergoing significant social and economic changes. Despite its isolationist policies, new forms of art and entertainment emerged, often reflecting the lives of ordinary people. Images such as this served as a form of social commentary and cultural expression. It offers insights into the complex social dynamics of the time, particularly regarding gender and class. Although seemingly simple, Utamaro’s approach reveals alternative narratives within a rigid social structure. The beauty and eroticism of this shunga print reflect profound aspects of Japanese society, revealing not just individual stories, but also the pulse of a changing world.