Kuniyoshi: Preparatory drawing of a woman handling a knife (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Title: Preparatory drawing of a woman handling a knife
Date: ca 1840s

Preparatory brush drawing showing a young woman calmly handling a knife. Although this is quite preliminary in concept, one can infer the story from the many hints that Kuniyoshi has inserted. The woman seems young and deliberate, and the two men are weeping bitterly. One can see a traveling hat in the alcove, and tea has been set out before the two men. Perhaps they have just arrived, hoping to dissuade her from committing ritual suicide. There are two areas of pentimenti, and one can see many changes when looking at the back of the paper. From the Sotheby’s album of 1992 (Numbered III 17C)

Condition: Very good condition; there is wrinkling to the thin paper where the pentimenti has been glued down.
Dimensions: 240mm x 270mm

SKU: KUY013