Utagawa of the Matsubaya - Utagawa of the Matsubaya - Charming portrait of the courtesan Utagawa of the Matsubaya sitting beside a small personal altar or shrine with an image of a deity, a thin line of smoke rising from an incense burner on a red lacquer tray below. She wears a striking black outer kimono patterned with splashing waves and trimmed with red. A lovely Toyokuni I beauty subject, rarely seen in reprint.

Woodblock reprints - In the 20th century, artists and publishers collaborated to recreate famous woodblock prints for interested Japanese collectors and Westerners looking for rare designs. New blocks were made, and the prints were painstakingly printed by artisan printers in the same method as the 19th century originals - one block for each color. Woodblock reprints were an opportunity to collect and enjoy a famous design at a small fraction of the price of an original. They still are today.

Artist - Toyokuni I (1769 - 1825)

Image Size - 14 3/4" x 9 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - Excellent overall with no issues to report.