Artwork
An Unfortunate Tale, III
An Unfortunate Tale, III is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This painting is the third in a series of three works by Kawanabe Kyosai depicting scenes from 'An Unfortunate Tale'.
About this work
Overview
This painting is the third in a series of three works by Kawanabe Kyosai depicting scenes from 'An Unfortunate Tale'. It shows a woman being bullied by children, while an old man scolds them and a bystander observes.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates a poignant moment in a narrative, where a kneeling woman, overcome with grief, is harassed by children. Her dark robe and the single lamp casting long shadows emphasize her sorrow.
Technique & Style
Kyosai's work is characterized by its expressive representation of emotion. The artist repeated the scene three times, with subtle variations that intensify the woman's distress.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of a collection at the V&A, alongside two other works from the same series. Kyosai was a prolific Japanese artist active during the Edo period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Kawanabe Kyōsai (河鍋 暁斎; May 18, 1831 – April 26, 1889) was a Japanese painter and caricaturist. In the words of art historian Timothy Clark, "an individualist and an independent, perhaps the last virtuoso in traditional Japanese painting".
