Haori

Winifred Nicholson, 1944

MEDIUMBurnt orange crepe silk with stencil-dyed designs of iris, plum, chrysanthemums, wisteria, peonies, and Chinese bell flowers; lined with white silk decorated with bird, flower and butterfly designs
DIMENSIONS110.5 × 132.3 cm (43 1/2 × 52 1/8 in.); Neck to arm: H.: 55.6 cm (21 7/8 in.)
LOCATIONArt Institute of Chicago

Stop to appreciate the rich burnt orange silk and intricate floral designs of this Japanese haori. Its hidden inner lining, alive with birds and butterflies, offers a delightful secret world of beauty.

Get the full experience in Art Whisper
Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store
ABOUT THIS WORK

This vibrant haori, a traditional Japanese jacket, bursts with a rich burnt orange crepe silk, a color that seems to glow from within. Its surface is alive with stencil-dyed designs of various flowers: irises, plum blossoms, chrysanthemums, wisteria, and peonies, alongside delicate Chinese bell flowers. The careful arrangement of these motifs suggests a thoughtful composition, perhaps reflecting the changing seasons, a common theme in Japanese textile arts. The jacket’s inner lining, a contrasting white silk, reveals an entirely different tableau of birds, flowers, and butterflies, creating a hidden world of detail that only the wearer or a close observer would see. This intimate layering speaks to a tradition where beauty was often appreciated in subtle, personal ways, a private delight meant to be discovered.

LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

1

The subtle sheen of the burnt orange crepe silk.

2

The delicate stencil-dyed irises on the outer fabric.

3

The lively bird motifs hidden on the white silk lining.

2 more details waiting — unlock in Art Whisper
Audio Deep Dive

Stop to appreciate the rich burnt orange silk and intricate floral designs of this Japanese haori. Its hidden inner lining, alive with birds and butterflies, o…

Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST
Winifred Nicholson 1893–1981 · United Kingdom

Winifred Nicholson, a British painter, captured the vibrant essence of still lifes and landscapes, often exploring the interplay of light and color.

Read Winifred's full story in Art Whisper
See something wrong?
Open the App