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Beneath the Willow
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Two young women cool themselves by a river as a willow blows in the breeze. One crouches down to rinse a hand towel, while the other sits with her chin balanced on her fan. Beside her is a black lacquer tray with a floral design in gold, holding her tobacco kit. Tsukioka Tessai was an Osaka-based ukiyo-e artist who was especially respected for his representations of beautiful women ( bijin ). The court bestowed upon him the rank Bridge of the Law ( hokyo ) in 1778, and he was eventually elevated in rank to Eye of the Law ( hogen ).
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineBeneath the Willow, after 1778. Tsukioka Sessai (Japanese, d. 1839). Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper; overall: 94 x 33.2 cm (37 x 13 1/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Kelvin Smith Collection, given by Mrs. Kelvin Smith, 1985.273
