Artwork

The Third Princess and a Cat, from the "New Herbs I" (Wakana I) chapter The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari}

The Third Princess and a Cat, from the "New Herbs I" (Wakana I) chapter The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari} is an unspecified painting by the Ukiyo-e artist Matsuno Chikanobu. It dates from 1749 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

The painting The Third Princess and a Cat, attributed to Matsuno Chikanobu, is dated to 1749.

The painting The Third Princess and a Cat, attributed to Matsuno Chikanobu, is dated to 1749. The work is a handscroll painting depicting a scene from the Tale of Genji, specifically the "New Herbs I" (Wakana I) chapter, featuring the Third Princess and a cat. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The available sources do not contain a specific inventory or accession number, nor do they list any past or current exhibitions where the piece has been displayed, lacking detailed provenance records regarding its acquisition history.

Overview

This painting, titled The Third Princess and a Cat, was created by Matsuno Chikanobu in 1749. It illustrates a scene from the "New Herbs I" (Wakana I) chapter of The Tale of Genji, a classic Japanese literary work. The composition features a princess interacting with a cat, a motif central to the depicted narrative. This work is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork portrays a woman, identified as the Third Princess, holding a cat while standing near a tree adorned with a red tag. Her elaborate kimono is decorated with floral patterns and other motifs, reflecting the courtly elegance of the Genji narrative. The cat gazes upward at the princess, capturing a moment of interaction that is significant within the larger story of The Tale of Genji.

Technique & Style

Chikanobu's painting employs a delicate approach to detail, particularly evident in the princess's richly patterned kimono and the subtle rendering of the cat. The background features a light palette, with indications of trees and bushes, suggesting an outdoor setting. This visual style serves to highlight the central figures and their interaction, typical of narrative illustrations from this period.