Court Lady of the Heian Period

Name: Court Lady of the Heian Period
SKU: 5595
Price: 260.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Kakemono, unique work, 167 x 44 cm

Product number: 5595

Height 167 cm
Width 44 cm
Item Type Kakemono
Jikusaki Wood
Material Honshi Paper
Period of Creation Shôwa (1926–1989)
Technique Hand-Painted
Unique Work Yes

€260.00

Available, delivery time: 1-3 Days

Description

A court lady with long, flowing hair and a multi-layered robe in orange, gray, and green – a depiction in the style of the Court Lady of the Heian Period, whose sartorial splendor was expressed in numerous layers of fabric placed one over another.

The sheet shows clear signs of age and use, with small losses and uneven discoloration of the paper, testifying to its long history. It is precisely this patina that lends the depiction a particular authenticity. The carefully drawn patterns of the robes, fine geometric and floral motifs, stand in contrast to the calm, introspective facial expression of the figure depicted.

Such depictions of court ladies draw on the long tradition of Yamato-e painting and attest to the enduring fascination with life at the imperial court.

Frequently asked

When was the work created?

Based on the previous owners' information and the condition of the object we place it broadly in the Shôwa (1926–1989) period, but cannot give a precise date.

Is this genuine craftsmanship?

Yes, this piece is a genuine handcrafted original that exists only once.

Why does the date of creation sometimes not match the artist's dates

Because the two pieces of information speak about different things: the period designation describes the object – support, colors, condition – while the signature reflects which name appears on the painting. In most cases there is no attempt at deception behind this, but rather Japanese painting training: copying from workshop models was the curriculum for centuries, an utsushi is regarded as a bow to the teacher, workshops signed with the master's name, and artist names were passed down within a school. Such a hanging scroll is therefore not a forgery, but a hand-painted one-of-a-kind that continues the formal language of its school – just not the work of the famous name, and priced accordingly. We explain this in detail in the guide Why does a kakemono often bear the signature of an artist long deceased?.