Couple under Mosquito Net by Kitagawa Utamaro

Artist: Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806)

Woodblock Prints Title: Couple Under Mosquito Net

1st Publication: 1797 - 1800

Size: 15 x 10-1/4

Date of this edition: 1797 - 1800

Publisher: Omiya Gonkuro

Condition: Some slight color fading. Upper right corner repaired, one pin hole, a few small clear area. Very good colors and impression. Very good to excellent overall condition for an Utamaro Print.

Notes: This is a really beautiful print by Utamaro. These tones are very fragile, it is amazing to see it in this almost exceptional colors and condition.

Before the arrival of the Prussian blue in the mid 1820's, almost all the blue pigments used in the prints have faded. In the late 1880's, the pigments were still visible, so a lot of reprints were made with the new technology, allowing the blue color to be in full display. 95 % of the prints prior to 1820 have little to no blue color left, even prints referenced by Museums. Most of Utamaro's blue colored prints are in fact reprints from the 1880's. The most common way to differentiate the reprints from the originals are from the seals. Reprints are lacking some seals, as opposed to the originals.

For reference, you can see the the original listed by the British Museum HERE

As you can see, the blue color from the print referenced by the British Museum is completely faded, yet all the seals checks out. The 1880's reprint of the edition has a missing seal on the bottom right corner of the print.

Pictures: Pictures are taken outdoor, in the shade, to reflect true colors, without any enhancements of any kind. The last picture is taken indoor, with a light behind the print, to reveal the exact paper grain, holes if any, or other possible flaws.