Three Beauties 1700 - 1750

Nishikawa Sukenobu made this painting of Three Beauties using ink and color on paper. The soft, fibrous quality of the paper is key to the painting’s effect, creating a subtle texture. Nishikawa was a master of Ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world," a genre deeply connected to the rise of urban culture and a merchant class in Japan's Edo period. His technique involved printing from woodblocks – a labor intensive process, that allowed for the wide distribution of images, reflecting the growing commercialization of art and culture. The women's robes, rendered in flat planes of color and intricate patterns, exemplify the skilled craftsmanship involved in textile production. Details like the musical instrument and the snack tray hint at a world of leisure and consumption. The painting offers a glimpse into the shifting social dynamics of Edo-period Japan, where traditional artistic practices intersected with new forms of labor and commerce. By examining the materials and techniques used, we can appreciate how they are intertwined with the broader economic and cultural context of the time.