Artwork preview

House with Woman and Baby

Shibata Zeshin

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The painting depicts a serene scene of a house with a woman and a baby. The artwork features a gold background with a textured, speckled pattern. A central, irregularly shaped section contains the main image, showcasing a traditional Japanese house with a tiled roof, positioned on the right side. In front of the house, on the left, is a woman wearing a traditional kimono, holding or looking at a baby who is dressed and sitting. The woman and baby are placed on a lower level, near a body of water or a pond; a small bridge is visible on the left. The house and figures are rendered in muted colors, including various shades of brown, gray, and hints of red from the flowers. The composition includes additional details like trees and plants, enhancing the tranquil, domestic scene. The frame around the painting matches the gold tone of the background, with a slightly darker border.

Artwork Details

Date
late 19th century
Medium
Fan painting mounted as album leaf; tempera on paper
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
600 × 336 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette