Fairy Lady, Chu Lian Xiang
楚蓮香之図
- Birth Year
- 1875
- Death Year
- 1949
- Date
- ca. 1924
- Technique, Material, Format
- color on silk, hanging scroll
- Dimension
- 138.0 x 51.7 cm
- Donor name
- Mr. Fujiura Ryoichi
- Category
- Nihonga (Japanese-style Painting)
- Inventory Number
- 2000-JP-003
Butterflies dance around a woman drawn with gentle curves whose movement appears as fluid as water. Chu Lian Xiang was a legendary beauty from the Tang dynasty (618–907) of China. It was said that she smelled so nice that butterflies and bees came near when she walked outside. Uemura Shoen, the artist, spent her life painting women. While painting is a visual medium, Shoen was known for capturing much more of her subjects than mere appearances, and so the storied Chu Lian Xiang was a worthy subject. Shoen depicted her many times, using a variety of colors and compositions. Linger with this picture and you too may catch Chu Lian Xiang’s scent.
(HIBINO Miyon)