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Woman Applying Makeup

Gion Seitoku Japanese

late 18th–early 19th century

Not on view

This half-length portrait shows a woman applying lipstick, using the small stick clenched in the fingers of her right hand. The object in her left hand is a pocket mirror or perhaps the portable paper case containing the colorant for her lips. Though her upper lip is red, the lower one appears green, a style known as sasa-iro beni (bamboo grass red) that was popular during the late Edo period. It was achieved by using red makeup (beni) derived from safflower that turns an iridescent green when thickly applied.

Seitoku was active in Kyoto and known for his strikingly realistic portraits of geisha and courtesans, characterized by thick eyebrows, prominent noses, and staring eyes.

Woman Applying Makeup, Gion Seitoku (Japanese, active 1789–1830), Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, Japan — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Woman Applying Makeup, Gion Seitoku (Japanese, active 1789–1830), Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, Japan

Woman Applying Makeup, Gion Seitoku (Japanese, active 1789–1830), Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, Japan

Woman Applying Makeup, Gion Seitoku (Japanese, active 1789–1830), Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, Japan

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

化粧美人図

Title: Woman Applying Makeup

Artist: Gion Seitoku (Japanese, active 1789–1830)

Period: Edo period (1615–1868)

Date: late 18th–early 19th century

Culture: Japan

Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper

Dimensions: Image: 25 1/4 × 15 3/4 in. (64.1 × 40 cm)
Overall with mounting: 62 × 20 1/2 in. (157.5 × 52 cm)

Classification: Paintings

Credit Line: Lent by Feinberg Collection

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Asian Art at The Met

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