Artwork

Woman and Child Beside a Mirror Stand

Woman and Child Beside a Mirror Stand, by Nishikawa Sukenobu, 1744
Woman and Child Beside a Mirror Stand, by Nishikawa Sukenobu, 1744

Woman and Child Beside a Mirror Stand is a print by the Baroque artist Nishikawa Sukenobu. It dates from 1744 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Woman and Child Beside a Mirror Stand, created circa 1744 by Japanese artist Nishikawa Sukenobu, is a print housed in The Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts an intimate domestic scene.

Subject & Meaning

Contrary to its title, the print shows two women, not a woman and child, in a serene interior. One figure sits on a low platform with a fan, while the other stands, adorned in a robe with swirling patterns, holding an unspecified small object. A mirror with an ornate frame is centrally placed.

Technique & Style

Sukenobu employed bold lines and nuanced shading techniques to capture the intricate folds of the standing woman's robe and convey depth within the room, highlighting the artist's attention to texture and spatial composition.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid-18th century, the print's history prior to its acquisition by The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here. It represents a piece from Sukenobu's oeuvre during the Edo period.

Context

This work reflects the ukiyo-e tradition, popular in 18th-century Japan, which often depicted scenes of everyday life, beauty, and leisure activities among the emerging middle class.

Legacy

As part of Sukenobu's body of work, Woman and Child Beside a Mirror Stand contributes to the understanding of Edo period aesthetics and the evolution of ukiyo-e printing techniques, though its specific impact or notable exhibitions are not highlighted here.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.