EROTIC ALBUM: A Suite of Thirteen Erotic Woodblock Printed Prints.

first edition

by [UTAMARO, Kitagawa].

[Japan n.d. 1800-1830's]. An accordion folding album, blue & gold floral pattern, silk brocade cloth covers,edges worn, 1 pastel-colored print, plus a complete suite of 12 color prints, album size 33.5 x 27.5 cm., gilt top & bottom edges. *** *** *** . . . A STUNNING EROTIC ALBUM BY THE MASTER . . The album is in its original and worn silk and gold brocade cloth and contains thirteen Oban [ca 38 x 24.5 cm] sized woodblock prints. . *** The first is a very early and most delicately colored pastel work and by far the most superior of the group. We estimate it to have been printed ca. 1778. It is finely drawn, with the most subtle and even faint pastel (truncated) colors. His earliest works were often done in [Sumi outline] black & white, with out any color at all. As the technology and techniques of polychrome printing by woodblock improved, and grew in popularity, Utamaro also began to experiment with color. At first he experimented using the most subtle hint of color in shades of pastel, to slightly enhance his images. Utamaro did not want viewers to be distracted from the emotional and erotic subject, so kept he often kept his use of color to a minimum. . *** The first print clearly shows the beginnings of this concept to sparingly use color, as an after-thought for mild high- lighting. As an early work, Utamaro had yet to commit to the use of color. The balance of the suite containes some twelve later prints by him, done circa 1800-1806. This is composed of four prints with a matching border, eight others that match as a set. The whole work was likely assembled by a collector. . *** In the first series of four, Utamaro has now progressed and submitted to the popular trend of polychrome printing, but only using a few colors in pastel. The first four prints in the suite show conservative use of pastels, but left the human figures skin entirely uncolored. The second series begins with print five and shows again a bit later progres- sion of the artist's work. He begins a major change in his use of color. Now he has committed to the full use of color, employing a large number of vivid colors to enhance his work. . *** He has found that the use of pink on the genitals, facial lips and tongue are effective to show the true and real excitement of the moment. Utamaro knew that during sexual excitement, the lips of the vagina and as well as the penis would flush with pink, especially the head or glans penis area. . *** Being true to the original models, he employed these colors effectively. What makes this album special, is that it is a collection of Utamaro's works from his earliest period, the middle and later stage in his artistic development. One can compare the works and see how the artist progressed in his use of color, while keeping his drawing skills under the finest of control. . *** Each print shows a couple making love in various positions and forms. Mostly the lovers are clothed or partially clothed, while they share tender and private moments while making love. Some of the women are Joroh or prostitutes, elaborately clothed while their Kimono are urgently thrown open to reveal their genitals. A few show the woman nearly nude while succumbing to licentious pleasures. Completely nude figures engaged in love-making was not common in Japan, and they considered partially clothed figures to the most erotic of all. . *** THE ARTIST: Utamaro [1754-1806] was one of Japan's most celebrated and treasured artists of the late 18th century. His works are always elegant and finely drawn with the utmost skill. His style is unique. His studio name was Murasakiya [The Purple- shop], he lived in Edo [Old Tokyo], was influence by the famous Kitao Masanobu & Torii Kiyonaga, the major artists of the Primitive schools. He was a central figure in the Edo world of artist artists & writers, an Ukiyo-e painter and printmaker. He was actually arrested by the Shogunate government and imprisoned in 1804 for violating the laws on the prohibition against publishing erotic or "uncensored" prints or books. We are unsure just which of his many erotic works were the subject of his violation. Utamaro felt a strong need to express himself and to include erotic works as part of his genre. Utamaro was one of the very first Japanese woodcut artists to be known in Europe, his art even influence Toulouse-Latrec. In 1788 two of his most important works appeared, one of them was Uta Makura [Pillow Poems] a highly erotic book. Among the scenes depicted was a superb work showing the rape of a young girl by a middle-aged coolie. He was especially skilled at painting young courtesans and actors. He was best known for the drawing and painting of women both at home and in the brothels of Tokyo area or "gay" quarters. His women are always depicted in his distinctive style, showing their attractive, elegant look, with small features, tall and graceful. Utamaro spent a considerable amount of his time in the "gay" quarters, taking notes ! . *** The color works were always clear and fresh, with a marvelous appeal. His works dominated the Japanese world of prints for over a generation. Always highly coveted & collected, his works have continually brought solid prices at world auctions. World museums have actively collected his works, and he is well represented throughout the world. . *** Utamaro has been one of the most superb portrayers of Japan- ese womanhood, in sensual and beautiful terms, the "eternal female" is the theme which he has most successfully used to charm viewers. There has never been a Japanese artist more successful at this task than Utamaro. . *** THE ALBUM: Along with the prints are later and useful manuscript text showing the genealogy of the Utamaro & other Ukiyo-e pain- ter schools. This is a two-sided album: side one has the first and most impressive print plus six other color prints; side two has six color prints. . *** Kitagawa Utamaro : [1753 -1806) was a Japanese artist. He is one of the most highly regarded practitioners of the ukiyo-e genre of woodblock prints, especially for his portraits of beautiful women, or bijin-ga. He also produced nature studies, particularly illustrated books of insects. Utamaro's work reached Europe in the mid-nineteenth century, where it was very popular, enjoying particular acclaim in France. He influenced the European Impressionists, particularly with his use of partial views and his emphasis on light and shade, which they imitated. The reference to the "Japanese influence" among these artists often refers to the work of Utamaro. . *** REFERENCES: L. Roberts: DICTIONARY OF JAPANESE ARTISTS, p.193 * R. Lane: IMAGES FROM THE FLOATING WORLD, pages 135-141, photo 140 shows the rape print. * STEWART, Basil. JAPANESE COLOUR-PRINTS AND THE SUBJECTS THEY ILLUSTRATE: A Guide for the Collector & Student with Description of the Subjects Illustrated in Landscape, Drama, Story and Portraiture. * VON SEIDLITZ, W. A HISTORY OF JAPANESE COLOUR-PRINTS. * LANE, Richard. IMAGES FROM THE FLOATING WORLD: THE JAPANESE PRINT, INCLUDING AN ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY OF UKIYO-E: Utamaro entries on pp.21, 124,127, 135-41, 341-346. * [ISHII, Kendon.] NISHIKI-E NO ARATAME-IN NO KOH-SHOH: READINGS OF CENSOR'S SEALS ON JAPANESE PRINTS * ROBERTS, Laurance P. A DICTIONARY OF JAPANESE ARTISTS PAINTING, SCULPTURE, CERAMICS, PRINTS, LACQUER: p.193. * KOBAYASHI, Tadashi. UTAMARO. * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utamaro . *** Color scans of this &most other items are posted to our website. . (Inventory #: 23013201)

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EROTIC ALBUM: A Suite of Thirteen Erotic Woodblock Printed Prints.

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Rare Oriental Book Co., An Art and Intellectual Property Company Since 1967, ABAA, ILAB

ATLAS CHINENSIS: BEING A SECOND PART OF A RELATION OF REMARKABLE PAFFAGES IN TWO

AN EMBASSY FROM THE EAST-INDIA COMPANY OF THE UNITED PROVINCES, TO THE GRAND TAR

The ABAA Promise

The ABAA
Promise