(Beauty Holding a Firefly Cage) c. mid 18th century

"Beauty Holding a Firefly Cage" is a hanging scroll from the mid-18th century by renowned Japanese artist Ishikawa Toyonobu. The artwork showcases a beautiful woman in a flowing kimono, holding a cage with fireflies. The delicate brushstrokes and vibrant colors typical of Toyonobu's work capture the elegance and grace of the subject. This artwork is an exquisite example of ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese art depicting everyday life and popular culture. It offers a glimpse into the aesthetic sensibilities of the Edo period, highlighting themes of beauty, nature, and the ephemeral. The artwork is currently housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art.