Artwork
The Lilac Kimono
The Lilac Kimono is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Samuel Isham. It dates from 1899 and is held in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.
About this work
Overview
Samuel Isham’s 1899 oil painting titled The Lilac Kimono portrays a solitary female figure seated before a dark backdrop. The work is part of the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Museum, where it is displayed among other late‑nineteenth‑century American paintings.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a dark‑haired woman draped in a pale lilac kimono, the garment partially opened to expose her bare chest. Her right arm rests lightly on a chair, while her gaze is directed downward, suggesting a mood of quiet introspection and calm detachment.
Technique & Style
Isham employs a restrained palette and careful modeling of folds to convey the texture of the silk kimono. The painting’s chiaroscuro—strong contrasts between the dim surroundings and a subtle illumination from the left—creates a three‑dimensional sense of volume, emphasizing the figure’s form against the shadowy space.
History & Provenance
Created at the close of the 19th century, The Lilac Kimono entered the Brooklyn Museum’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s estate, with no record of intermediate private owners before its museum purchase.
Artist & collection
