Gidayū Chantress Reading Books, around 1900
After Katsushika Hokusaiexpand_more
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paperexpand_more
Gift of Louis W. Hill, Jr.expand_more 81.133.160
Not on Viewexpand_more
Hokusai is lauded for his landscapes, especially those from his series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. However, he also designed many prints featuring women as the main subject. This print, showing a young girl reading a book, is an example of Hokusai's surprisingly close and careful observation of women's fashions. The girl's red and purple kimono with woven ikat pattern accords well with her green sash decorated with a bold flower pattern. The green and red combination is repeated on her inner robes. Her lower lip is green, a popular fashion in the early 19th century. Beni (safflower dye), applied in successive layers, changed from bright red to iridescent green. Hokusai cleverly took notice of this fashion and integrated it in the color scheme of his design.
Meiji-period reproduction.
Details
- Title
- Gidayū Chantress Reading Books
- Artist Life
- 1760 - 1849
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 81.133.160
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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