Bijin with puppet

Artist Tsukioka, Settei (Japanese, 1710–1786)

Date1730-1786

Mediumscroll painting

Dimensions99.2 x 41 cm (39 1/16 x 16 1/8 in.)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineBequest of Charles B. Cohn in memory on Stuart P. Anderson

Object number1985.136

Label TextThe bright opaque colors used by Settei are typical of ukiyo-e paintings (Pictures of the Floating World). The artist does not use any setting, allowing the figure to stand out boldly against the ground. The small stature of the girl is characteristic of his style. Settei was an Osaka artist and his painting represents the ukiyo-e style of the Kansai region of Kyoto and Osaka in contrast to that of Edo (modern Tokyo). Osaka was the center of the merchant society and a bustling city with a distinctive culture. It is the home of bunraku (traditional Japanese puppet theatere). Settei was a prolific book illustrator as well as painter, who also produced designs for single sheet prints. He gained distinction and was awarded the honorary title of Hogen; he proudly signed this painting Hogen Tsukioka Settei.ProvenanceCharles Cohn/Stuart Anderson, Worcester MA

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