Chinese Beauty and Attendant c. 18th century

This hanging scroll, *Chinese Beauty and Attendant*, was created by the prominent Japanese artist Nakabayashi Chikutō (1776-1853) in the 18th century. The delicate brushstrokes capture the elegance of two women standing amidst a lush bamboo grove, showcasing the artist's mastery of *literati painting*. This genre, inspired by Chinese artistic ideals, emphasizes the importance of individual expression and a sense of tranquility, which is evident in the serene landscape and the figures' composed postures. The scroll is now part of the collection at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.