Kuniyoshi 国芳: Cherry Blossoms at Night 夜の桜 (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi 国芳 (1798-1861)
Title: Cherry Blossoms at Night (夜の桜, Yoru no sakura)
Date: ca. 1846

Three beauties enjoy the full blossoms of an ancient cherry tree, the woman at left, perhaps an attendant, even picking a sprig to show her companions. The tree itself forms an impressive backdrop, as its style imitates Chinese ink painting. The contrast of the ink brush-style ancient tree with the youthful vibrancy of  the woman and their layers of colorful kimono creates an especially pleasing design. The woman in the middle is dressed in the most celebratory and expensive clothing; her outer kimono features oversized shells and floating blossoms and her hair includes several hanging ornaments. Viewing cherry blossoms at night when the blossoms glow with otherworldly beauty beneath the moonlight was a popular pastime during the Edo period.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Some minor surface wrinkles. Unbacked.
Dimensions: ôban triptych (37.2 x 73.5 cm)
Publisher: Yorozu-ya Jubei
Literature: The Van Gogh museum has just the left sheet.
Signature: Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga 

SKU: KUY600