Woman Admiring Morning Glories while Brushing Her Teeth c. 1779

Torii Kiyonaga created this woodblock print, now at the Art Institute of Chicago, depicting a woman in a moment of quiet contemplation. The composition is striking: a vertical rectangle dominated by soft, muted tones, punctuated by the dark accents of her hair and the lacquered geta on the porch. The eye is drawn to the woman's elegant form, draped in flowing robes, as she pauses to admire the morning glories. Note how Kiyonaga uses line to define form and create a sense of depth, particularly in the rendering of the architectural elements, the overhanging roof, and the gentle curve of the hanging wind chime. These elements not only frame the scene but also introduce a sense of spatial complexity. The print also challenges the traditional portrayal of women in art. Here, we see a figure engaged in a private, almost mundane act, elevated to a moment of beauty through the artist's careful attention to line, color, and composition. This transformation is indicative of the shifting cultural values and the rise of new aesthetic ideals during Kiyonaga's time.