Artwork

Morning Glory (from the series The Tale of Genji in Elegant Modern Dress)

Morning Glory (from the series The Tale of Genji in Elegant Modern Dress) is a print by the Romanticist artist Chôbunsai Eishi. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Morning Glory is a woodblock print from the series The Tale of Genji in Elegant Modern Dress, attributed to Chōbunsai Eishi and dated to circa 1790. It is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene interior scene with four individuals engaged in quiet activities. One stands with a fan, while another sits with a basket, amidst a tastefully appointed room featuring patterned screens, hanging ornaments, a lantern, and a woven floor mat. The composition conveys a sense of tranquil, everyday life.

Technique & Style

Eishi employed characteristic late 18th-century Japanese woodblock printing techniques, marked by flat, vibrant colors and bold, defining lines. This stylization emphasizes clarity and aesthetic harmony, typical of the era's ukiyo-e prints.

History & Provenance

Created around 1790, the work's history prior to its acquisition by The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here. It represents a piece from Eishi's adaptation of The Tale of Genji into modern (for the time) settings.

Context

Part of a series reimagining the classic novel The Tale of Genji in contemporary 18th-century attire and settings, Morning Glory reflects the ukiyo-e genre's interest in capturing both literary themes and everyday elegance of the time.

Legacy

As part of Eishi's oeuvre, the print contributes to the artist's reputation for blending traditional themes with modern (for his era) sensibilities, influencing the development of ukiyo-e during its peak.

Artist & collection

Artist

Chôbunsai Eishi

Chōbunsai Eishi (鳥文斎栄之; 1756–1829) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist. His last name was Hosoda (細田). His first name was Tokitomi (時富). His common name was Taminosuke (民之丞) and later Yasaburo (弥三郎). Pupil of Kano Eisen'in…