Two Women Looking in Mirrors

19th century

Not on view

This composition is activated by a diagonal line formed by the darting gazes of the two women and the spectator. The standing woman looks at the reflection of her face while she also sees the reflection of the back of her head. Instead of looking at the mirror in her own hand, the seated woman gazes at the standing woman. Does she see her own reflection in the mirror that reflects the standing woman's coiffure? Does the standing woman also see a reflection of the seated lady as well as the back of her head? The seated lady holds a mirror, whose verso bears a family crest with two characters combined into a diphthong. Perhaps this wordplay mimicks the theme of overlap and duality conveyed by the use of three mirrors. The poem translates as; "If you use a mirror which reflects ancient time, that will bring you the flawless virtue of the present emperor."

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Two Women Looking in Mirrors
Artist: Kubo Shunman (Japanese, 1757–1820)
Date: 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Part of an album of woodblock prints (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 8 1/8 x 6 5/8 in. (20.6 x 16.8 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Object Number: JP2334
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Kubo Shunman

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Two Actors; a Scene from the Soga Play, Kubo Shunman Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Two Actors; a Scene from the Soga Play
Kubo Shunman
19th century

Various moths and butterflies, Kubo Shunman Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Various moths and butterflies
Kubo Shunman
19th century

Pipe and Tobacco Pouch
From the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1, Kubo Shunman Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Pipe and Tobacco Pouch From the Spring Rain Collection (Harusame shū), vol. 1
Kubo Shunman
ca. 1810s

Court Woman at her Desk with Poem Cards, Kubo Shunman Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Court Woman at her Desk with Poem Cards
Kubo Shunman
1795 (Year of the Rabbit)

Courtesan with Client before a Tokonoma Alcove, Kubo Shunman Japanese, Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper, Japan — Courtesan with Client before a Tokonoma Alcove
Kubo Shunman
1798

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