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Chinese Beauty
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Ukiyo-e artists’ exploration of beautiful people extended to figures from other lands. Here, an elegant Chinese palace lady holding a fan stands before a banana plant. The poem at the top is written in a Japanese appropriation of Chinese called <em>kanbun.</em> Based on its imagery of a palanquin (an enclosed couch with poles used for carrying passengers), silk fan, and autumn winds, it may allude to the story of Lady Ban (about 48 BC–about AD 2). A Chinese beauty famous for her scholarly achievements, Ban was once consort to an emperor but later lost his favor. In a poem attributed to her, she compared herself to a used silk fan put away in autumn.
| Artist / Maker | Kubo Shunman |
|---|---|
| Date | late 1700s–early 1800s |
| Culture / Origin | Japan, Edo period (1615–1868) |
| Medium | Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk |
| Dimensions | Image: 96 x 37 cm (37 13/16 x 14 9/16 in.); Overall: 184.2 x 53.3 cm (72 1/2 x 21 in.) |
| Department | Japanese Art |
| Type | Painting |
About the Artist
Kubo Shunman (Japanese, 1757–1820) Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
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