Beauty Taking a Bath

Data

Explanation

This is a work from Utamaro’s very final years. The contrast between the realistic description of the bath and the elegant depiction of the soft flesh and nape expresses feminine beauty that is the trademark of Utamaro’s works. The inscription above is taken from the ancient Chinese verse about Lady Zhao Yi of the Han Dynasty bathing in an orchid bath. The signature at the end of the inscription is that of Ohta Nampo, a literary man of that time.