Who painted Lady Ise by the Riverbank?

Lady Ise by the Riverbank was painted by Nishikawa Sukenobu.

Where can I see Lady Ise by the Riverbank?

Lady Ise by the Riverbank is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Lady Ise by the Riverbank?

Lady Ise by the Riverbank is associated with Ukiyo-e.

Artwork

Lady Ise by the Riverbank

Nishikawa Sukenobu

Lady Ise by the Riverbank is an unspecified painting by the Ukiyo-e artist Nishikawa Sukenobu. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Lady Ise by the Riverbank, painted by Nishikawa Sukenobu in 1792, is an ink and color work on paper now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The composition presents a solitary female figure kneeling beside a river, her posture suggesting a moment of pause or contemplation.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a woman dressed in a long, flowing robe adorned with red and blue motifs. She holds a fan and wears a modest headpiece, while her dark hair is neatly arranged. The inscription above her head resembles a line of Japanese poetry, reinforcing the theme of quiet reflection.

Technique & Style

Sukenobu employs delicate brushwork to render the folds of the garment and the surrounding reeds, combining subtle washes of color with fine ink lines. The palette of muted blues and reds creates a harmonious balance, characteristic of late‑eighteenth‑century ukiyo‑e portraiture.

History & Provenance

Created toward the end of the Edo period, the painting entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through a 20th‑century acquisition, though earlier ownership records are not documented. Its presence in the museum situates it among other Japanese works that illustrate the era’s domestic genre scenes.

Context

Nishikawa Sukenobu was known for his depictions of everyday life and literary subjects. This work reflects the period’s interest in portraying refined, introspective moments drawn from classical poetry, aligning with the broader cultural practice of integrating text and image in Japanese visual art.