Art Institute of Chicago

Beauty Turning Her Head

Hishikawa Moronobu

Date

c. 1685-94

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink and colors on paper

Culture

Japan

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Hishikawa Moronobu was known for producing images of common people’s leisurely pursuits during the Edo period (1615–1868) and has been credited as the first true artist of ukiyo-e (“floating world” pictures). He rarely painted single beauties like this example, but his depictions of Tokyo’s inhabitants enjoying arts, beauty, and fashion—including their visits to the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters—were renowned for capturing the spirit of the age. Moronobu was originally from Awa province (now Chiba prefecture) and by the 1670s had moved into the city, where he worked as a book illustrator and print designer before focusing on scroll paintings towards the end of his career.

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