About the artist
Kitagawa Utamaro I (1753-1806) was a Japanese artist and printmaker of the ukiyo-e style. He is best known for his woodblock prints of female beauties, kabuki actors, and other scenes from everyday life. Utamaro was born in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and was a student of Toriyama Sekien. He was influenced by the works of Suzuki Harunobu and Katsukawa Shunshō. Utamaro was also known for his bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) and his shunga (erotic art). He was arrested and imprisoned for his erotic art in 1790.
Also associated with: Toriyama Sekien, Suzuki Harunobu, Katsukawa Shunshō, Ukiyo-e, Bijin-ga, Shunga, Edo, Tokyo.