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Bijin to saru zu
美人と猿図
More affluent patrons of ukiyo-e artists often commissioned one-of-a-kind paintings with themes similar to those seen in the prints. Here, a naughty pet monkey pulls at the hem of his owner’s garments, exposing a white leg and red underskirt that contrast beautifully with her layered kimono in black and pale blue. Paintings such as this one were enjoyed both by men who liked looking at pictures of pretty girls and by women who appreciated the minutely detailed description of gorgeous fashions and fabrics.
Woman and Monkey
Bijin to saru zu
美人と猿図
Katsukawa Shun'ei (Japanese, 1762–1819)
Japanese
Edo period
latter half of Kansei (1789 - 1801) - first half of Bunka (1804 - 18) eras
Medium/Technique
Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Image: 128.3 x 28.6 cm (50 1/2 x 11 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.7786
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia
ClassificationsPaintings
More affluent patrons of ukiyo-e artists often commissioned one-of-a-kind paintings with themes similar to those seen in the prints. Here, a naughty pet monkey pulls at the hem of his owner’s garments, exposing a white leg and red underskirt that contrast beautifully with her layered kimono in black and pale blue. Paintings such as this one were enjoyed both by men who liked looking at pictures of pretty girls and by women who appreciated the minutely detailed description of gorgeous fashions and fabrics.
Catalogue Raisonné
Kajima Foundation MFA cat. 2 (2003), ch. III (Ukiyo-e), no. 254
Signed
Shun'ei ga
春英画
春英画
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.