Posted by Keith Gallant on April 01, 1998 at 15:34:23:
In Reply to: Re: Shunsho Print ? posted by Dan on March 31, 1998 at 23:41:35:
: Keith, did you mean to add something? I opened your new message but it was blank.
: :
: : : Oh yes, about that translucent robe.... That's a special effect produced by overprinting. Utamaro has some incredible images like that, the most famous being the woman raising a black cloth to her face.
: : : Where did you find this treasure?
: : :
: : : : Something tells me this print might be chuban sized. Am I right? That would narrow the field.
: : : : Three-quarters is the typical ukiyo-e "pose" but it's not exactly "rare" to find a head-on view. Unusual, yes. Koryusai has quite a few like that though.
: : : : : I have recently purchased a print by an artist whom I believe, from the signature, to be Shunsho (1729-1792). It has three ladies one of whom is looking at the audience. They are clusterd around a black table with a red cloth doing some artistic type of work. My impression is that the women are courtesans having some fun together. Does anyone recognize the print? If so what is its name? Also it is the only print which I can recall where a character is looking forward. Is this really uncommon or is my experience to shallow?
: : : : : A third question related to the print is the fact that the woman in the lower left has a thin silk robe, probably blue which has a translucent quality through which you can see her arm and shoulder. How did they do this?
: : : : : Thanks in advance,
: : : : : Keith Gallant
Did mean to answer your questions, but made some error. I bought the piece at an antique store here in Minneapolis. The size is about 10 inches wide by 14 inches tall.
The ladies in my print are grouped similar to those in "Three Famous Beauties" by Utamaro. The main differences are in their height in the print and the black table at the bottom.
Keith