A Footman (Yakko) Mocking A Trap for Fox by Kitagawa Utamaro

A Footman (Yakko) Mocking A Trap for Fox c. 1781 - 1806

print, ink, color-on-paper

toned paper

light pencil work

print

japan

personal sketchbook

ink

color-on-paper

ink drawing experimentation

coloured pencil

sketchbook drawing

watercolour bleed

watercolour illustration

sketchbook art

watercolor

This ukiyo-e woodblock print, "A Footman (Yakko) Mocking a Trap for Fox" by renowned Japanese artist Kitagawa Utamaro, depicts a humorous scene of a footman observing a simple fox trap. The footman's playful expression and relaxed pose suggest that he finds the trap ineffective, emphasizing the absurdity of human attempts to control nature. Utamaro, known for his beautiful portrayals of women and the common people, often infused his work with satire and social commentary, making this work both entertaining and thought-provoking.