Images of Women in Japanese Painting and Woodblock prints

• It is the first time in the history of Polish exhibitions that we are presenting impressions from the world of a Japanese woman whose images, immortalised in paintings and woodblock prints, reveal some secrets of the Floating World, including intimate scenes behind the screen. The beauty we are describing through our exhibition titled 'ONNA – Beauty, Strength, Ecstasy. Japanese Woodcuts and Paintings from the Collections of the National Museum in Krakow' is a story of a woman, her charm, emotions, ecstasy and passions. It is a portrait of eternal beauty. It is also a vivid commentary on the ideal of looks, hairstyles and fashion. At the same time, a very important part of the narration deals with different shades of feminine strength – from harnessing a restive horse to the charismatic power of female warriors launching an attack of army troops on the battlefield.
  
  Exhibition curators: Beata Romanowicz, Beata Pacana
  
  
  Text and selection of photographs: Beata Romanowicz – holder of scholarships from the Chinese Government, the Japanese Government, the Japanese Foundation. Author and co-author of exhibitions on Japanese art, author of numerous articles and books on Japanese woodblock prints and other themes.

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  Kitagawa Utamaro (1753–1806) Woman Writing a Letter / Fumi o kaku onna From the series: Five Physiognomies of Beauties / Bijin go mensō
  Ca. 1803–1804
  Nishiki-e – polychrome woodblock print on paper

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  Kitagawa Utamaro (1753–1806) Woman Breastfeeding Her Child From the series: Views of Famous Places: Twelve Types of Beautiful Women / Meisho fūkei bijin jūni sō 1801–1804 Nishiki-e – polychrome print on paper

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  Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) Tsumago – 43rd Station. Apparition of the Fox-Woman Kuzunoha From the series: The Sixty-nine Post Stations of the Kisokaidō Road
  1852
  Nishiki-e – polychrome print on paper

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  Katsukawa Shunchō (active ca. 1780–1795) Group of Women with a Cat at the Entrance to a House Ca. 1785
  Nishiki-e – polychrome woodblock print on paper

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  Kitagawa Utamaro (1753–1806) Woman with a Boy Wearing a Mask – Parody of the Parable of Tao Yuanming / Tao Yuanming From the series: The Three Laughers of Tiger Ravine – Allusion to the Chinese Parable Kokei ni sanshō / Kokei ni sanshō Ca. 1802 Nishiki-e – polychrome print on paper

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  Katsukawa Shunsen (ok. 1762–1830) The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as a Woman in a Black Kimono 1781–1789
  Nishiki-e – polychrome print on paper

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  Yashima Gakutei (1786 [?] – 1868) Ebisu From the series: A Parody of the Seven Gods of Fortune / Mitate shichifukujin
  Ca. 1830
  Nishiki-e – polychrome woodblock print on paper, surimono

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  Katsukawa Shuntei (1770–1820) Tomoe Gozen Fighting a Knight 1809
  Nishiki-e – polychrome print on paper

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  Kitagawa Utamaro (1753–1806) Erotic scene: Two Lovers by a Screen From the book: Embracing Komachi / Komachi biki, 1802
  Nishiki-e – polychrome print on paper