Portrait of An European Woman 

Fujishima Takeji painted this portrait of an European woman with oil on canvas, with dimensions of 36.2 by 38.5 cm. The visible brushwork and texture tell us a great deal about the painting’s process of creation. The artist has applied the oil paint in layers, building up the form of the woman’s face and clothing with small, deliberate strokes. Notice the directness of the marks, and how they follow the contours of the face, capturing the light and shadow and creating a sense of depth and volume. The work is imbued with a sense of the artist’s own touch. Oil paint, as a medium, has a particular history, tied to traditions of Western art, and the artist is engaging with, and adapting these traditions within his own cultural context. Ultimately, this portrait reminds us that every artwork is the result of a particular set of choices, made by an artist working within a specific historical and cultural context. By paying attention to the materials and processes involved, we can gain a deeper appreciation.