Serenade
- Date:
- 1753–1806
- Medium:
- color woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Dimensions:
- 36.2 × 25.2 cm
- Source:
- Cleveland Museum of Art
Description
This color woodblock print from Utamaro's working years presents a scene titled "Serenade" — likely a composition of a musician or musicians performing for a beloved, or a woman listening to music in an evening setting. The serenade motif linked musical performance to romantic pursuit, a connection embedded in both Japanese and broader East Asian cultural traditions. The visual treatment would emphasize posture, instrument, and atmospheric setting.
More Prints by Kitagawa Utamaro
Akashi of the Tamaya, from the series Seven Komachis of Yoshiwara (Seiro nana Komachi) (Tamaya uchi Akashi, Uraji, Shimano)
Woodblock print
Hour of the Tiger (Tora no koku = 4 AM) from the series Twelve Hours in Yoshiwara (Seirô jûni toki tsuzuki), Late Edo period, circa 1794
Woodblock print
Ikebana arrangement of Peony and Willow in Dragon Pot
1781–1806
Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and color on paper
The Greatest Beauties of Our Time (Toji zensei bijin zoroe): Somenosuke of the Matsubaya with Attendants Wakagi and Wakaba
Woodblock print
More Music Prints
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Serenade was created by Kitagawa Utamaro (喜多川歌麿) in 1753–1806.
Serenade depicts music, figures, and bijin-ga.
Serenade measures 36.2 × 25.2 cm (Oban format).