Ukiyo-e (expanded)

1680–1860

The 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

1753–1806

Japanese

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.

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Pigments: Lamp black

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