Beauties under an Umbrella

Katsukawa Shunshō　勝川春章

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Rain is implicit in the willow motif and the umbrella beneath which these two elegant beauties stand. The supple willow is a symbol of feminine grace as well, and the prominence of the umbrella is an effective compositional device. The artist Shunshō was noted for his effective designs for the pillar print. The women's elegant appearance was enhanced by the cropping, and thus further elongation of, the figures.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art