The Eighth Month (from the series Fashionable Presentations of the Twelve Months)

1779

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

The Eighth Month (from the series Fashionable Presentations of the Twelve Months) is a 1779 by Torii Kiyonaga, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Torii Kiyonaga
When & what style?: 1779 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

Three women walk side by side in bright kimonos. The one on the left wears a long, pale robe with a black hat and carries a fan. The middle woman has a simpler outfit with orange and white stripes on her sleeves. The woman on the right holds a large red box, also in a striped robe, and her hat has a small feather. Behind them, a bamboo fence and pine branches line the path under a cloudy sky. Notice how the artist uses bold outlines and flat colors to make the scene feel lively. The women’s robes show off patterns and layers, while the background stays simple. If you like this style, check out Torii Kiyonaga.