French Couple 1861

This woodblock print by Utagawa Yoshikazu, titled "French Couple," is an example of the "gaijin" genre of Japanese art, which depicted foreigners in Japan. The print, created in 1861, depicts a Western man holding a pocket watch, possibly checking the time for his companion. The woman, dressed in Western clothing, sits upon a bed in a room with a mirror and a vanity table. The artist's use of bright colors and exaggerated features is typical of the "gaijin" genre, which aimed to depict the peculiarities of Westerners. This print offers insight into Japanese perceptions of Western culture during the period of opening to the West, and its location at the Metropolitan Museum of Art makes it accessible for viewers to learn about this fascinating period of Japanese history and artistic expression.