Dolls (Tate-bina) 1807 - 1891

"Dolls (Tate-bina)" is a meticulously detailed lacquer painting by Shibata Zeshin, a renowned Japanese artist known for his exquisite works in the Edo period. Created between 1807 and 1891, this narrow vertical piece depicts two elegantly dressed figures, likely representing dolls, against a textured grey background. The artwork's vibrant colors and delicate details showcase Zeshin's mastery of the maki-e technique, a traditional Japanese decorative art form using gold and silver powder on lacquer. This piece, now residing in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies Zeshin's refined artistic style and captivating portrayal of Japanese aesthetics.