The artwork titled “Wanting to Improve One’s Habits” is a woodblock print by the esteemed artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi, created in the year 1852. This piece belongs to the Ukiyo-e art movement and falls under the genre of bijinga (beautiful women). The dimensions of the artwork are 37 x 25 cm, and it is part of the series “Celebrated Products of Mountains and Seas.” The artwork is housed in the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, MA, US.
The artwork depicts a beautifully adorned woman gazing into a mirror, surrounded by delicate and intricate details in her attire – typical of bijinga style. Above her, within a separate framed scene, is a landscape image of fishermen on boats against a backdrop of rolling hills and tranquil waters. The juxtaposition of the serene natural scene with the reflective contemplation of the woman in the foreground creates a striking balance. The print is adorned with a variety of intricate patterns and subtle color gradations, characteristic of Kuniyoshi’s mastery in woodblock printmaking. The woman’s poised demeanour and the finesse of her attire highlight the elegance and beauty celebrated in the Ukiyo-e tradition.
