Sisters

Dateca. 1905-1910

Label TextTraditional bijinga exploited the erotic potential of women; however, Shôen began to represent women in a wide variety of situations, including scenes of everyday family life. Here, two sisters play with a puppy, which is desperate to get at the ball the younger sister holds. Shôen's attention to detail is revealed in the depiction of the patterns on the figures' garments. Her rendering of soft silky hair was much admired by other nihonga painters.

Object number2009.70.7

Published ReferencesMichiyo, Morioka; Berry, Paul. "Modern Masters of Kyoto: The Transformation of Japanese Painting Traditions," Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1999, p. 141, illus. 28.

Credit LineGift of Griffith and Patricia Way, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum

Dimensions71 3/4 x 22 3/8 in. (182.3 x 56.8 cm)

MediumColor on silk