AsianArt: Kitagawa Utamaro's Depiction Of The Female: Interpreting the Male Gaze in the Edo Period

The Male Gaze in 18th century Japanese Art

(Kitigawa Utamaro - Powdering the Neck)

Kitagawa Utamaro's Depiction Of The Female: Interpreting the Male Gaze in the Edo Period exhibition, will examine the cultural influences, which inspired depictions of women by Kitagawa Utamaro in the Edo period(1615-1868).
Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806) was a prolific and versatile artist whose work reflected the cultural values of Ukiyo-e or "floating world" of the Edo period, which dominated metropolitan life in 18th century Japan. Ukiyo-e encompassed the world of wealth, theater, sensual pleasure and entertainment which characterized the art of this period. His most common artistic subjects are women and this exhibition will explore the manner in which they are depicted. Utamaro, like many 18th century European painters, reflected the objectification of the female body in his art. Utamaro depicts not only Geisha's and prostitutes to titillate the male viewer but also mothers, wives, and daughters. His work was created for the "male gaze" or with the intent of tantalizing the heterosexual male viewer. In Utamaro's depictions of women, the female sitter never makes eye contact with the viewer. This lack of eye-contact is intended to excite as the viewer enjoys a voyeuristic perspective of the female body. Utamaro's work is tinged with satire and gaudy humor that was directed for a male audience. In his series Hokkoku goshiki sumi (Five Kinds of Ink from the Northern Provinces, 1790's) Utamaro creates a pun about the five classes of prostitutes. Two paintings of prostitutes from this series will be included in the collection. His depictions of the Awabi Fisherwomen illustrates his compulsion to sexualize women who are not even prostitutes. Utamaro creates sensuality by emphasizing particular parts of Geisha’s bodies such as their necks, hands, hair, and kimono’s. While for depictions of women who are not prostitutes, he sensualizes them through nudity their physical interactions with one another. (Even in the act of breastfeeding a child) The goal of the exhibition will be to identify the male gaze or the objectification of women in Utamaro’s paintings and relate it to how women were perceived in a broader context politically, and culturally, in the Edo period. This exhibition should attract anyone who is interested in Asian art, Women’s and gender studies, or feminism.