Lovers in front of a screen 1799

Kitagawa Utamaro made this woodblock print of lovers sometime in the late 18th century. The print belongs to a Japanese genre called *shunga*, which translates to "spring pictures," a euphemism for erotic art. *Shunga* prints were popular across many social classes in Japan's Edo period, a relatively peaceful and prosperous era that saw the rise of a large merchant class and a culture of pleasure and entertainment centered in urban areas. The image depicts two lovers in a moment of intimacy, framed by a screen. Utamaro’s work often portrays the lives of courtesans and their patrons, and these prints offer insights into the social mores and sexual attitudes of the time. The frank depiction of sexual pleasure contrasts with the strict social hierarchies of the period, suggesting a space for transgression and subversion. Studying these prints, alongside other historical documents, helps us understand the complexities of Edo-period society and the ways in which art both reflected and challenged social norms.