Image size of this print is 16 3/4 x 36 with ample margins

MOONLIGHT REVELRY by Utamaro (Japanese 1754-1806) Freer Gallery of Art,Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

Utamaro Kitagawa is known as the greatest ukiyo-e (printmaking) artist of the late 18th century. Unfortunately, there is very little known of his life. There are no records of his parents, his birthplace or the year he was born. Through the records that have been recovered, historians believe that Utamaro was born sometime around the years of 1750-1754. Although dates may be sceptical, there is no denying his esteemed and phenomenal talent as an artist.

Utamaro's original name was Ichitaro Kitagawa, and like most artists in Japan during this time, Utamaro began his career as an apprentice to the painter Toriyama Sekien. His many early works consisted mainly of actor portraits that were incredibly famous at the time due to the popularity of the Kabuki theatres. In around 1781-1782, was the time he changed his name to Kitagawa Utamaro. He began a successful partnership with Tsutaya Juzburo who was a well-known publisher in 1783. Forged as a team, they published many book illustrations together.

From the time of 1791, Utamaro began to create his most famous pieces single portraits of women. The models were taken from the streets and from the local Yoshiwara (the pleasure-district). The stories of Utamaro's love affairs with these women are plentiful. By 1793, only two years later, Utamaro established a fame that was so great he was recognized in many places for his original series of women prints.