Women on the Ryõgoku Bridge

Kitagawa Utamaro (1753 - 1806)

British Museum

1795 - 1796

In this triptych, a group of elegantly dressed women, one holding a child, are loitering on the Ryogoku Bridge over the Sumida on a summer evening. They watch girls in pleasure-boats below, which are depicted in a companion triptych, which is meant to be placed below to form one large composition. Linking the two compositions is the balustrade of the bridge, its defiant geometry contrasting with the sinuous curves of the promenaders.

• Medium: colour woodcut
• Dimensions: 3 sheets: 36.8 x 76cm
• ArtFunded in: 1918
• Presented by Oscar Raphael through The Art Fund

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