Utamaro - Original or Reproduction?
Many people are fascinated by the art of Japanese woodblock prints. But only few people have the experience and knowledge to evaluate Japanese prints. When you operate a web site about Japanese prints you will get numerous emails every day with image attachments and always the same questions: "What is it? and "What is the value?". This article tries to shed some light on prints by the great master of beautiful women prints, Utamaro Kitagawa. Original or Reproductions?
What is an Original Japanese Woodblock Print?
For the creation of a Japanese color woodblock print several wooden blocks have to be carved, a key-block for the outlines and one block for each color. The number of impressions, meaning print copies that can be made from one block, are limited. Guesses differ from 2000 to 10,000 copies.
With a rising number of copies, the blocks get worn off and the impression quality deteriorates. Block repairs can help to prolong the use. But at a certain point new blocks have to be ccarved in order to make more copies.
What is a Reproduction of a Woodblock Print?
When the quality of the original woodblocks had deteriorated too much or when the original blocks had been destroyed due to fire for instance, then professional carvers commissioned by publishers made new blocks after original designs. These new blocks are called recuts. On the internet you may also find the Japanese word fukkoku for such prints.
These are in plain words nothing else but reproductions. Although such a woodblock recut is made by hand, it is a reproduction and never an original. On internet web sites you will find all kinds of flowery and tricky descriptions by unethical dealers that try to deceive novice buyers about the true nature of such reproductions. Keep you eyes open, and keep in mind: These are reproductions even when made by hand.
An Utamaro reproduction may even be old. Reproductions have been made since the 19th century. The Japanese are skillful artisans
Value Considerations
Collectors of Japanese prints are willing to pay several thousand dollars, sometimes even a five digit number for an original woodblock print by Utamaro Kitagawa. The value of an Utamaro reproduction on the other hand is usually around 50 to 100 dollars.
And there is yet another aspect to be considered. A collection of original Utamaro prints can always be sold in the market. However when you have a collection of reproductions, you have a problem when you want to sell it. No dealer is interested, not even for the price of an apple and an egg. Also we at Artelino are not interested in consignments of reproductions, although we do offer them from time to time.
Why Should you buy Reproductions?
Woodblock reproductions of original Utamaro designs look nice, have fresh colors and it is even an all hand-made print. And you do not have to care how to preserve the condition of a reproduction. But keep in mind - when you buy such a print you have a lovely decoration for your walls, nothing else. A reproduction is basically a "consumer" object, and not an object of collector or market value.
How to Recognize an Utamaro Reproduction from an Original?
When you have seen a few original Utamaro prints, it is not too difficult even for beginners, to recognize what is what. In a nutshell: Originals usually look crummy!
The most striking difference are the colors. Originals were printed with natural, vegetable colors. These colors faded out after 2 centuries, especially if exposed to light. An original Utamaro print is always an image of some faded, brownish, yellowish, greenish colors. Reproductions - unless aimed as fakes - are printed with modern anilin colors. These colors look fresh and are by the way by far less prone to fading.
Another factor to discern an original from a reproduction is the quality of the paper. Originals come often on a rather thin, soft paper that may even make a brittle impression. If the paper is thick and stiff and looks fresh, it is an indicator that you do not have an original in your hands.
And there is finally the overall condition. Originals practically always have condition problems. Smudges on the paper, frayed margins, holes in the paper.
Gallery of Utamaro Original Woodblock Prints
Here are a few examples for the real McCoy. By the way, when the impressions for these prints were made some 200 years ago, they looked more like today's reproductions - with fresh colors on clean paper. Funny, Isn't it?
54900
Eight Best Views of Commuting Yoshiwara - Beauty and Game
$950 - 9/30/2012
Gallery of Utamaro Reproduction Woodblock Prints
These are all reproductions, made by hand in woodblock technique, after original designs by Utamaro Kitagawa.
Author:
Dieter Wanczura
First Publication: 5/9/2018
Latest Update: 11/24/2018
Signatures and Seals of Utamaro Kitagawa 1753-1806
Signature Name: Utamaro hitsu
Utamaro II used the same signature
Signature Name: Kitagawa Utamaro hitsu
Want to know when art works by Utamaro Kitagawa 1753-1806 are in our auctions?
This video tries to explain how to roughly recognize if an Utamaro woodblock print is could be an original or if it is a reproduction. Level: Beginners in Japanese prints. Utamaro Kitagawa. Original or Reproduction? Subscribe to the artelino youtube channel.
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