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Lady by Okada Saburosuke

Lady

Okada Saburosuke · 1907

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“Stop to appreciate the serene beauty of this portrait, where delicate brushwork and soft lighting combine to create an intimate and elegant depiction of a woman.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

A woman gazes out from the canvas, her head tilted slightly, her expression thoughtful and serene. This portrait, created in 1907, captures a moment of quiet introspection. The soft, diffused light emphasizes the delicate texture of her skin and the subtle contours of her face, drawing the viewer into her presence. The artist, Okada Saburosuke, was known for his ability to portray women with warmth and elegance, and this work exemplifies that skill through its refined brushwork and sensitive depiction. The muted background allows the figure to command attention, emphasizing her gentle features and the graceful drape of her attire, reflecting the Yōga style's blend of Western oil painting techniques with Japanese aesthetic sensibilities.

DETAILS
Artist
Okada Saburosuke
Date
1907
Location
Artizon Museum
ART MOVEMENTS
Nihonga
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Lady
01

The subtle blush on her cheeks and lips, giving a lifelike glow.

02

The intricate detailing of her hair, pulled back elegantly.

03

The soft folds of her collar, suggesting fine fabric.

04

The gentle curve of her neck and shoulders, conveying poise.

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THE ARTIST

Okada Saburosuke

1869–1939 · Japan

Okada Saburosuke was a leading Japanese Yōga painter, celebrated for his warm and elegant portraits of women, who shaped Western-style art education in Japan.

Read Saburosuke’s full story
MORE FROM THIS ARTIST

Further Works by Saburosuke

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American Gothic American Gothic 1930 · Art Institute of Chicago Nighthawks Nighthawks 1942 · Art Institute of Chicago A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884 A Sunday on La Grande Jatte — 1884 1884 · Art Institute of Chicago Returning Life Returning Life Art Institute of Chicago Peonies Peonies Art Institute of Chicago Examining an Arrow Examining an Arrow 1893 · Saga Prefectural Museum Lion (One of a Pair, South Pedestal) Lion (One of a Pair, South Pedestal) 1893 · Art Institute of Chicago Porträt des Jiro Okabe Porträt des Jiro Okabe 1898 · Mie Prefectural Art Museum
EXPLORE THE MOVEMENT

More from Nihonga

See the movement →
Paris Street; Rainy Day Paris Street; Rainy Day Gyokushō · 1877 · Art Institute of Chicago
KEEP EXPLORING

More works to explore

Beyond Saburosuke and Nihonga: works from the same years.

Lozenge Composition with Yellow, Black, Blue, Red, and Gray Same era · 1890s–1920s Lozenge Composition with Yellow, Black, Blue, Red, and Gray Piet Mondrian · 1921 · Art Institute of Chicago Barber Same era · 1890s–1920s Barber Mikhail Larionov · 1907 · Russian Museum Frauenkopf vor Sonnenblumen Same era · 1890s–1920s Frauenkopf vor Sonnenblumen Ernst Ludwig Kirchner · 1906 · Museum Frieder Burda Consolation Same era · 1890s–1920s Consolation Edvard Munch · 1907 · Munch Museum Antwerp Same era · 1890s–1920s Antwerp Georges Braque · 1906 · Art Institute of Chicago Half-Length Female Nude Same era · 1890s–1920s Half-Length Female Nude Pablo Picasso · 1906 · Art Institute of Chicago Still Life with Geranium Same era · 1890s–1920s Still Life with Geranium Henri Matisse · 1906 · Art Institute of Chicago Maude Adams (1872–1953) as Joan of Arc Same era · 1890s–1920s Maude Adams (1872–1953) as Joan of Arc Alphonse Mucha · 1909 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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