Kakemono Court Lady of the Heian Period

A court lady with long, flowing hair and a multi-layered robe in orange, gray, and green – a depiction in the style of the Court Lady of the Heian Period, whose sartorial splendor was expressed in numerous layers of fabric placed one over another.

The sheet shows clear signs of age and use, with small losses and uneven discoloration of the paper, testifying to its long history. It is precisely this patina that lends the depiction a particular authenticity. The carefully drawn patterns of the robes, fine geometric and floral motifs, stand in contrast to the calm, introspective facial expression of the figure depicted.

Such depictions of court ladies draw on the long tradition of Yamato-e painting and attest to the enduring fascination with life at the imperial court.