Who painted Portrait of a Japanese Woman (Mrs. Kuroki)?

Portrait of a Japanese Woman (Mrs. Kuroki) was painted by Edmond Aman-Jean in 1922.

Where can I see Portrait of a Japanese Woman (Mrs. Kuroki)?

Portrait of a Japanese Woman (Mrs. Kuroki) is held by National Museum of Western Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Japanese Woman (Mrs. Kuroki)?

Portrait of a Japanese Woman (Mrs. Kuroki) is associated with Art Nouveau.

Artwork

Portrait of a Japanese Woman (Mrs. Kuroki)

Edmond Aman-Jean , 1922

Portrait of a Japanese Woman (Mrs. Kuroki) is an oil painting by the Art Nouveau artist Edmond Aman-Jean. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Western Art.

About this work

Overview

Edmond Aman‑Jean, a French painter associated with Symbolism and the Art Nouveau style, completed the oil painting *Portrait of a Japanese Woman (Mrs. Kuroki)* in 1922. The work is part of the collection of the National Museum of Western Art and exemplifies the artist’s interest in cross‑cultural portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas depicts a Japanese woman dressed in a blue kimono trimmed with gold, her white obi featuring a subtle floral motif. She stands before a muted green wall, holding a white fan in her right hand, her dark bob‑styled hair framing a composed, serene expression that conveys quiet dignity.

Technique & Style

Aman‑Jean employs oil pigments to render delicate textures, allowing the fabric’s sheen and the wall’s tonal depth to emerge with subtle gradations. The composition balances decorative elements of Art Nouveau—such as flowing lines and ornamental detail—with a restrained palette that emphasizes the sitter’s presence.

History & Provenance

Created shortly after World War I, the portrait reflects the period’s fascination with Japanese aesthetics in European art circles. It entered the National Museum of Western Art’s holdings through the museum’s acquisition program, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s representation of early‑20th‑century Western portraiture.

Artist & collection

Artist

Edmond Aman-Jean

Edmond Aman-Jean (13 November 1858, Chevry-Cossigny – 25 January 1936, Paris) was a French symbolist painter, who co-founded the Salon des Tuileries in 1923.