Artwork
"Evening Faces" (Yūgao) chapter from The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari)
"Evening Faces" (Yūgao) chapter from The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) is an unspecified painting by the Ukiyo-e artist Kawamata Tsunemasa. It dates from 1749 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The imagery connects the viewer to the literary origins of the story, illustrating a moment involving a female character central to the chapter's events.
The painting depicts a scene derived from the 'Evening Faces' (Yūgao) chapter of The Tale of Genji, a classic Japanese literary work. The primary subject represented in the composition is a woman, consistent with the narrative focus of the source text. Created in 1749 by Kawamata Tsunemasa, the work serves as a visual interpretation of this specific episode from the tale.
The imagery connects the viewer to the literary origins of the story, illustrating a moment involving a female character central to the chapter's events.
History & Provenance
The painting depicting the "Evening Faces" (Yūgao) chapter from The Tale of Genji was created by Kawamata Tsunemasa in 1749. This work was produced in Japan and later entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The specific inception date is recorded as January 1, 1749, establishing the timeline of its creation during the mid-eighteenth century.
The work titled "Evening Faces" (Yūgao) from The Tale of Genji is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is part of the museum's collection, listed under the institution's inventory without a separate accession number provided in the documentation. The painting was created in 1749 by the Japanese artist Kawamata Tsunemasa, as recorded in the internal catalogue and corroborated by the Wikidata entry.
No exhibition history is mentioned in the available sources, indicating that the work has not been publicly exhibited according to the documented record.
Overview
This painting by Kawamata Tsunemasa, created in 1749, illustrates a scene from the "Evening Faces" (Yūgao) chapter of The Tale of Genji. It captures a specific moment from the classic Japanese narrative, rendered with a delicate palette and attention to detail. The work is part of a larger tradition of depicting episodes from the esteemed literary masterpiece, offering a visual interpretation for viewers.
Technique & Style
Kawamata Tsunemasa employs a soft color palette, featuring muted reds, greens, and earthy browns, to create a tranquil atmosphere. The background elements, including dry grasses, bare trees, and a woven fence, suggest a natural, perhaps autumnal, setting. The composition emphasizes the figures, whose postures imply a shared, intimate moment.
A warm border frames the entire scene, enhancing its visual coherence and presenting the narrative segment with a refined aesthetic.
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