Lady Tamamushi
1765
Medium
Color woodblock print; chuban
Dimensions
27.4 × 19.6 cm (10 13/16 × 7 3/4 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
90446
Art Historical Context
**Lady Tamamushi is a captivating color woodblock print from 1765, created by an unknown artist during Japan's Edo period. Measuring 27.4 × 19.6 cm in the compact *chuban* format—ideal for affordable distribution—this artwork exemplifies the vibrant world of *ukiyo-e*, or "pictures of the floating world." Likely depicting a poised beauty, it captures the elegance of women in everyday or theatrical life, a popular theme that brought art to the masses. The medium's brilliance stems from intricate woodblock printing techniques: carvers meticulously aligned multiple blocks, each inked in a single...
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...