Who painted The Brine Maiden Matsukaze?

The Brine Maiden Matsukaze was painted by Ishikawa Toyonobu in 1716-01-01.

Where can I see The Brine Maiden Matsukaze?

The Brine Maiden Matsukaze is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Brine Maiden Matsukaze?

The Brine Maiden Matsukaze is associated with Ukiyo-e.

Can I buy a print of The Brine Maiden Matsukaze?

Museum-quality prints of The Brine Maiden Matsukaze are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Brine Maiden Matsukaze

Ishikawa Toyonobu , 1716

The Brine Maiden Matsukaze is an unspecified painting by the Ukiyo-e artist Ishikawa Toyonobu. It dates from 1716 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

Although some records associate the work with Nishimura Shigenobu, the primary attribution in the available documentation rests with Toyonobu.

The painting titled The Brine Maiden Matsukaze was created in 1716 by the artist Ishikawa Toyonobu. Although some records associate the work with Nishimura Shigenobu, the primary attribution in the available documentation rests with Toyonobu. The artwork originated in Japan and is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The specific inception date is recorded as January 1, 1716.

The Brine Maiden Matsukaze, dated 1716, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Wikidata record for the work identifies the Metropolitan Museum of Art as both its collection and its location, situating the painting within that institution's holdings. No specific accession number is provided in the available sources.

The available records do not document an exhibition history for the work. No loans, displays, or curatorial installations are noted in the sources consulted.

Context

The Brine Maiden Matsukaze (1716) exemplifies the ukiyo-e tradition through its depiction of a mythic female figure, reflecting Edo-period interests in supernatural narratives and theatrical performance. Attributed to Ishikawa Toyonobu, the work is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it contributes to scholarly discussions of early modern Japanese visual culture and the interplay between painting and kabuki aesthetics. Contemporary analyses note its technical precision in rendering delicate textures and its role in contextualizing the artist's exploration of feminine archetypes within the broader framework of Japanese artistic production.

Overview

Created in 1716 by the Edo‑period artist Ishikawa Toyobō, The Brine Maiden Matsukaze is a painted panel now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work presents a lyrical scene of two women positioned beside water, rendered in the vivid palette and decorative detail characteristic of early eighteenth‑century Japanese painting.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features a standing figure beneath a pine, clothed in a flowing blue‑green robe, and a seated companion on a rock wearing a bright red and blue garment while holding a fan. The title suggests a connection to the legendary “brine maiden” motif, linking the figures to folklore about spirits of the sea and the transience of beauty.

Technique & Style

Toyobō employs delicate brushwork to suggest the rippling water, using wavy lines that contrast with a dark border embellished with gold motifs. The garments are rendered with fine patterning and careful attention to folds, allowing the reds, blues, and greens to stand out against a lighter background and create a sense of depth within a relatively flat pictorial space.