Waaierschildering Yama uba en kintaro c. 1860 - 1889

This is a fan painting called "Yama uba and Kintaro" by Kawanabe Kyōsai, made in Japan in the 19th century. The fan's surface offers a unique ground for Kyōsai's dynamic composition. The ribs create an underlying structure, against which the figures of Yama uba and Kintaro are rendered with fluid brushstrokes. Note how Kyōsai uses the fan's shape to frame the scene, drawing our eyes to the interplay between the figures and the subtle gradations of ink wash. The artist uses the negative space, punctuated only by a faint moon, which not only balances the composition but also invites contemplation. This interplay between form and void is characteristic of East Asian art, reflecting broader philosophical concerns. The artist engages with semiotic systems, inviting the viewer to decode the narrative embedded within the brushstrokes.