Ukiyo-e (expanded)
1680–1860The Floating World — woodblock prints of pleasure, nature, and the ephemeral. Utamaro's women join Hokusai's waves and Hiroshige's rain.
Woodblock printing with water-based pigments on mulberry paper. Bokashi gradient technique. Prussian blue imported from Europe revolutionized the palette.
1 artist6 colors
Kitagawa Utamaro
1753–1806Japanese
Master of bijin-ga — portraits of beautiful women. Captured personality through subtle gesture and textile pattern.
Delicate color gradations (bokashi). Mica dust backgrounds for shimmer. Powdered pigments mixed with rice paste.