Beauty on a Snowy Quay

Teisai Hokuba Japanese
18th century
Not on view
An elegant beauty dressed in black has rushed to the snow-covered quay, where a boat is waiting, perhaps with her lover under its roof. Snow is everywhere—on the opposite side of the river, where a torii (gate to a Shinto shrine) is dimly visible; on houses; on the boat; and on the bank where she stands. Breaking the harsh contrast of black against white are the brilliant reds of her undersash, her undergarment, and a clog, which are all delicately outlined in gold ink.

Hokuba, who often signed his name Teisei Hokuba, was one of the most successful pupils of the great master Hokusai. A prolific artist, almost up to his teacher's caliber, Hokuba produced many paintings and prints.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Beauty on a Snowy Quay
  • Artist: Teisai Hokuba (Japanese, 1771–1844)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: 18th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color, and gold on silk
  • Dimensions: 29 x 10 3/4 in. (73.7 x 27.3 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Charles Stewart Smith Collection, Gift of Mrs. Charles Stewart Smith, Charles Stewart Smith Jr., and Howard Caswell Smith, in memory of Charles Stewart Smith, 1914
  • Object Number: 14.76.55
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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