Isoda Koryusai (attributed to): Beauty Looking at Snow in the Sunset 囲女の暮雪) (Reserved)

Artist: Isoda Koryūsai (attributed to)
Title: Beauty Looking at Snow in the Sunset (Kakoi on’na no bosetsu) 囲女の暮雪Date: ca.1770

View of a contemplative seated beauty whose thoughts are far away on day of deep snow. The title actually infers that this is a “kept woman”, meaning she rarely gets to spend time with her lover, who must be married to another. The waka poem on the top includes imagery of  deep snow on leaves of bamboo, hinting at the deep winter, which may mean that the time for a visit from her lover is is still quite far away.

Bosetsu暮雪, snow in the sunset, is one of eight views of famous places.

This work is unsigned, but the style strongly suggests Koryusai or another master of the time, perhaps even Harunobu, as this is the work of a highly skilled artist. It’s quite amazing how much the artist has conveyed in such an intimate and small-sized design. We feel the longing and loneliness of the young woman, whose thoughts appear far away. She holds the sticks to adjust her warming fire, but looks away into the stands of snow-covered bamboo. At the top and bottom are also image of snow. The fugitive blue on the walls and on her kimono are unusually well-preserved; one rarely sees these colors as still extant on works from this period.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Tiny repair at top left.  
Dimensions: 32.3 x 7.5 cm

SKU: KOY027