Who painted Woman Looking at a Hanging Scroll?

Woman Looking at a Hanging Scroll was painted by Nishikawa Sukenobu in 1744.

Where can I see Woman Looking at a Hanging Scroll?

Woman Looking at a Hanging Scroll is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Woman Looking at a Hanging Scroll?

Woman Looking at a Hanging Scroll is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Woman Looking at a Hanging Scroll

Nishikawa Sukenobu , 1744

Woman Looking at a Hanging Scroll 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

Created around 1744 by Nishikawa Sukenobu, this woodblock print depicts a solitary woman seated on a tatami mat, her attention fixed on a hanging scroll above her. The composition is restrained, featuring a modest interior with a few pieces of furniture and a barred window, rendered in a muted palette that conveys a calm, contemplative atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The figure, dressed in a kimono patterned with stylized flowers, embodies a moment of quiet study or appreciation of the artwork she observes. Her upward gaze and composed posture suggest an engagement with cultural or literary themes, reflecting the Edo‑period interest in refined domestic scenes and the intellectual pursuits of women.

Technique & Style

Sukenobu employs traditional ukiyo‑e woodblock methods, using layered color washes to suggest depth and texture in both the fabric and the surrounding space. Fine line work defines the woman's hair and kimono details, while subtle gradations of tone create a sense of three‑dimensionality within the flat surface of the print.

History & Provenance

The print is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, acquired as a representative example of mid‑18th‑century Japanese genre prints. Its attribution to Sukenobu, a prolific illustrator of everyday life, aligns with his broader output documenting domestic interiors and fashionable attire of the period.