Awabi-tori .28c..E2.80.891797.E2.80.9398.29 Utamaro's pictures of abalone divers

awabi-tori, utamaro, c. 1797–98, coloured pigment on hand-made washi paper, 38 25 centimetres (15 in × 10 in)

the 3 prints make triptych when placed together. prints nishiki-e brocade prints —multicolour woodblock prints made pigments on hand-made washi paper. in ōban size, each 38 25 centimetres (15 in × 10 in). published c. 1797–98. each sheet signed utamaro hitsu (哥麿筆, brush of utamaro ). publisher unknown, , there no censor s seal, has raised speculation how acceptable picture depicts @ time.

haliotis abalone

utamaro depicts group of nude ama divers finishing day of diving haliotis abalone sea snails. draws them naturalistically, without elongation or other distortions ukiyo-e artists typically employed present ideal models of beauty. tall white skin , long, stringy black hair wet , dangles them. appear soft-skinned , contours of exposed upper bodies have reddish outlines, emphasizing strong, corporeal figures @ physical labour. scenery made of light greens , other pale colours, contrast red clothes several of figures wear.

in left print, nude woman red waistcloth wrapped around lower body crouches, supporting herself hands on ground behind , lowering 1 leg in water. woman standing beside points towards water; lightly sunburned. woman in patterned blue in central print combs wet hair while breastfeeding naked child; utamaro depicted women breastfeeding. in right print woman wrings end of red waistcloth tied around waist while holding in mouth knife used opening shells. looks behind herself viewer s right, crouched woman selects shellfish basket buy.

a kyōka poem appears on right print reads:

取得たる鮑のわたに引きかえて 海士のはたへは目の毒そかし
shutokutaru awabi no wata ni hikikaete ama no hada e wa me no doku sokashi
more tempting flesh of abalone skin of diver

goncourt considered prints images of high style, , have charm arresting, surprising, astonishing .