Female Dancer
1624–44
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on paper
Dimensions
59.5 × 29.9 cm (23 7/16 × 11 3/4), including mount and knobs: 124.1 × 45.4 (48 7/8 × 17 7/8 in.)
Classification
hanging scroll
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
35677
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This painting was likely once mounted on a folding screen alongside other images of dancers with fans. The exuberance of her movements evokes the lively urban culture that had sprung up in Japan’s largest cities during the 17th century, with entertainments such as dancing, theater, and brothels catering to a range of customers.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...