Artwork preview

Three Intoxicated Courtesans

Kitagawa Utamaro

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Three panels of a Japanese woodblock print. The print depicts nine people, seven women and two men. The women wear kimonos and have their hair styled. The two men are standing on the right side and center of the print, wearing kimonos and headwear. The background features a room with a tiled floor, a large window with a grid pattern, and flowering plants. The dominant colors are beige, brown, black, and white. The women's kimonos have varied designs; some are solid-colored while others have floral patterns. The man on the right wears a light-colored kimono with a dark-colored design. The man in the center wears a white kimono. Some of the women appear intoxicated, stumbling or sitting on the floor. The scene appears to be set indoors, possibly a teahouse or restaurant. The print features traditional Japanese architecture and decor. The image conveys a sense of revelry and merriment. The artist's style features bold lines and expressive figures. The composition spans across the three panels.

Artwork Details

Date
1790s
Medium
Triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
600 × 307 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette