Chinese Women in a Palace Garden
In this painting, a vivacious scene of Chinese court life, the grace of the palace beauties is accentuated by their poses, especially that of the woman in the center, who slightly twists her body to admire a bluebird perched on the hand of a lady-in-waiting. The palace architecture, a Taihu rock, blossoming cherry and pear trees, and Chinese roses enrich the sense of exotic palace life.
The meticulous brushwork of the draperies and the solid texture of the rock indicate a Kano painter of the Momoyama period, one who might have worked closely with Mitsunobu, the eldest son of the great master Kano Eitoku. Formerly the two left panels of an eight-panel screen, they were remounted as a hanging scroll, since the two panels were the works of another artist.
The meticulous brushwork of the draperies and the solid texture of the rock indicate a Kano painter of the Momoyama period, one who might have worked closely with Mitsunobu, the eldest son of the great master Kano Eitoku. Formerly the two left panels of an eight-panel screen, they were remounted as a hanging scroll, since the two panels were the works of another artist.
Artwork Details
- 伝狩野永徳筆 唐美人図
- Title: Chinese Women in a Palace Garden
- Artist: Formerly attributed to Kano Eitoku (Japanese, 1543–1590)
- Period: Momoyama period (1573–1615)
- Date: late 16th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Two panels of a folding screen, mounted as a hanging scroll; ink, color, gold, and gold leaf on paper
- Dimensions: 61 1/8 x 45 1/2 in. (155.3 x 115.6 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
- Object Number: 29.100.495g, h
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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first half 17th century
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late 16th century
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