Ladies Drinking Tea
date unknown
Medium
Color woodblock print; surimono
Dimensions
21.2 × 28.5 cm (8 3/8 × 11 1/4 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
81355
Art Historical Context
"Ladies Drinking Tea" is a captivating color woodblock print created by the Japanese artist Ryuryukyo Shinsai. Measuring just 21.2 by 28.5 centimeters, this intimate work belongs to the surimono tradition—privately commissioned prints often produced in limited editions for special occasions such as New Year celebrations or poetry gatherings. The medium allowed artists to combine delicate lines with vibrant colors, sometimes enhanced by embossing or metallic pigments, resulting in refined pieces meant for close viewing rather than mass distribution. The scene captures women enjoying tea, refle...