Artwork preview

A Merry Evening Party

Kitagawa Utamaro

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Colorful woodblock print of a scene with multiple women. The women wear kimonos in various colors including pink, orange, yellow, white, and black; some kimonos have patterns such as stripes or floral designs. The women wear their hair in traditional Japanese styles, often adorned with hairpins or combs; their hairstyles are black. The women are in a room; some sit on tatami mats on the floor, while others sit on low chairs or benches. The room contains a low table, a small black box, and a screen with a painted design; the screen shows trees and foliage. The background has shoji screens or windows, allowing natural light to filter in. The color palette includes shades of pink, orange, yellow, green, and black. The composition is lively and dynamic, capturing a moment of social interaction. The title of the work is "A Merry Evening Party" and it is created by Kitagawa Utamaro.

Artwork Details

Date
ca. 1805
Medium
Triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
599 × 309 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette