Woman Reading A Letter by Oil Lamp, Edo period (1615?1868), 1790s, Japan, Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper, H. 15 in. (38. 1 cm) ; W. 10 in. (25. 4 cm), Prints, Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753? ?1806), Utamaro portrays a woman who is concentrating intensely on a letter. Her entire body leans forward, and she firmly grasps the letter, holding it close to her face. The mosquito net works as a device that keeps the woman away from the light, increasing her anxiety and desire to move closer to it