Beauties of the Seasons—Spring

Maker(s)
Artist: Chōbunsai Eishi 鳥文斎栄之 (1756-1829)
Historical period(s)
Edo period, early 19th century
School
Ukiyo-e
Medium
Ink, color and gold on silk
Dimensions
H x W (image): 98.4 × 38.1 cm (38 3/4 × 15 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1957.7
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Painting
Type

Hanging scroll (mounted on panel)

Keywords
cherry tree, courtesan, Edo period (1615 - 1868), Japan, kakemono, spring, ukiyo-e
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

Paintings of this type were often made in sets, showing beautiful women in the four seasons of the year. Graceful and elegant in their opulent garments, a courtesan and two young attendants stroll beneath spring cherry blossoms. The painter Eishi studed with an artist of the Kano school, whose leading members served as official painters to the shogun.  As a young painter, Eishi served as an artist in attendance to the shogun. His professional training is apparent in the finesse and coloring of this charming work.

Published References
  • Klaus Joachim Brandt. Hosoda Eishi (1756-1829): Der japanische Maler und Holzschnittmeister und seine Schuler. Stuttgart. cat. 463.
  • Ann McClellan. The Cherry Blossom Festival. Boston. p. 17.
  • Elisabeth West FitzHugh. A Pigment Census of Ukiyo-e Paintings in the Freer Gallery of Art. vol. 11 Washington and Ann Arbor, 1979. pp. 27-38.
  • Harold P. Stern. Ukiyo-e Painting: Freer Gallery of Art Fiftieth Anniversary Exhibition. Exh. cat. Washington and Baltimore, 1973. cat. 78, pp. 210-213.
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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