Standing Beauty
1661/73
Artist unknown Japanese, active 17th century
Japan
In this idealized depiction, a beautiful woman with a confident expression holds her kimono as she strides with purpose. The bold print of her garment—which features designs of large flowers, waves, and a square water-well motif near the bottom—was the height of fashion during the mid-17 th century. At this time, many paintings of individual beauties with blank backgrounds were produced for an eager urban market.
Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on paper