The Third Princess with her Cat, from the "New Herbs I" (Wakana I) chapter The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari} 18th century

Tsukioka Settei created this hanging scroll, "The Third Princess with her Cat," in Japan, sometime in the 18th century. The pale silk ground gives the impression of aged paper; this creates a sense of history as the princess occupies only the lower portion of the painting, leaving the upper portion empty. The princess’s figure forms a delicate, almost fragile, diagonal line. The artist masterfully uses color to guide our eyes through the composition: the red of her robes draws the eye, acting as an anchor to the composition while her robe blends into the pale background, creating an intimate and quiet atmosphere. The black hair contrasts sharply with the light hues of the face and garment. It creates a visual weight that balances the composition. Here, negative space is as important as what is painted, giving the scene a contemplative quality. Note how the artist plays with asymmetry, creating a dynamic tension that invites us to reflect on the scene’s underlying narrative and emotional complexity.