Bijinga 

Uemura Shoen made ‘Bijinga’, paintings of beautiful women, during a time of significant shifts in Japanese society, as the country rapidly modernized while still holding onto its traditions. Shoen, as a woman artist, was in a unique position. Bijinga often depicted women in traditional roles, reinforcing certain ideals. But Shoen’s works often subtly challenged these norms. The women she painted weren't just pretty faces; they possessed a quiet strength and interiority, reflecting Shoen’s own determination as a professional artist in a male-dominated field. The woman in this painting, with her serene expression and elegant attire, embodies a sense of grace. "In my paintings, I want to show the inner lives of women," Shoen once said, "their strength and resilience." There's a sense of dignity and poise here, a quiet assertion of self. By focusing on the inner lives of her subjects, Shoen subtly pushed against the grain, offering a nuanced vision of womanhood that acknowledged both the constraints and the possibilities of her time.