Woman embroidering fabric, Miyagawa Shuntei

Artwork Overview

Miyagawa Shuntei, Woman embroidering fabric
1898, 7th month, 1st day, Meiji period (1868–1912)
1873–1914
Woman embroidering fabric, 1898, 7th month, 1st day, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Portfolio/Series title: Ukiyo no fude (Brush of the Floating World)
Where object was made: Japan
Material/technique: color woodcut
Dimensions:
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 299 x 206 mm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 11 3/4 x 8 1/8 in
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 369 x 250 mm
Sheet/Paper Dimensions (Height x Width): 14 1/2 x 9 13/16 in
Mat Dimensions (Height x Width): 19 x 14 in
Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial
Accession number: 0000.1640
Not on display

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Images

Label texts

Archive Label, Oct-Dec. 1989:
Bijin (beautiful women) were beloved subjects of Japanese woodblock print artists, who continued to represent courtesans, young maidens, and housewives for generations with unfaltering interest. These three prints of domestic scenes show typical feminine activities: writing a letter to a lover, applying make-up, and embroidering. Harunobu's figure is young and fragile and contrasts sharply with the mature, alluring lady depicted by Utamaro. Shuntei was a century younger than the other two masters and in his print he employed a richer palette of colors. It is interesting to note that real lacquer was applied to the lacquer mirror held by Utamaro's courtesan.