Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1864), WOMAN WITH A FLAG, 1858

From the series: GENJI ATO SHŪ YOJO /Collection of IMAGES INSPIRED [by the story of the prince] GENJI/
woodcut color nishiki-e/paper, blind embossed karazuri, ōban tate-e format, 37.1 x 25.6 cm
signature in cartouche: Toyokuni ga; publisher's stamp: Uoya Eikichi; date stamp: second month of the year of the Horse, 1858
good state of preservation; traces of paper conservation in lower left corner

Utagawa Kunisada was a painter and printmaker. He lived and worked in Edo. He was a student of Utagawa Toyokuni, one of the most prominent representatives of the late ukiyo-e period. Initially he illustrated books, and from 1808 he made likenesses of kabuki theater actors and courtesans. In 1844 he took the name of the Toyokuni school and signed his works as Toyokuni III. His work is among the most interesting achievements of the ukiyo-e school.