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煤掃き
Kitagawa Utamaro I (Japanese, early 1750s–1806)
Publisher: Yamadaya Sanshirô
Japanese
Edo period
about 1797–99 (Kansei 9–11)

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical ôban diptych; 38.8 x 51.6 cm (15 1/4 x 20 5/16 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.14453-4
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné MFA, Golden Age (2010), #s 76, 77; Asano & Clark, Passionate Art (1995), #286; Ukiyo-e shûka 3 (1978), list #342.1-5, pls. 170-174; Shibui, Ukiyo-e zuten Utamaro (1964), 26.2.1-4, 27.2.1; Yoshida, Utamaro zenshû (1941), #414; Ukiyo-e taisei 7 (1931), #343
DescriptionDiptych (two sheets of incomplete pentaptych): 11.14453 (left), 11.14454 (right)
MFA impressions:
Complete pentaptych, benigirai: 21.7721-5
Three left sheets, benigirai: 11.14406VR (11.14406, 11.14407, 11.14423)
Two right sheets, later edition in full color: 11.14453-4
Signed Utamaro hitsu (on each sheet)
歌麿筆
Marks No censor's seal
改印:なし
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 – d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)

NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.