A Young Lady and Her Boy Servant 1760 - 1780

Around 1770, the artist Tosen made this scroll painting, “A Young Lady and Her Boy Servant,” with ink and color on paper. Tosen was of the samurai class, and also a student of painting. The materials themselves carry social and cultural significance. Paper has been a precious commodity in Japan, and the use of mineral pigments, such as azurite and malachite, also signals wealth. The delicate lines were made with finely pointed brushes. The image, too, speaks to a social hierarchy. The young lady is adorned in elaborate clothing, a sign of her status. The boy servant, on the other hand, is depicted in simpler attire, his head shaven. Ultimately, understanding the materials and techniques used to create this painting allows us to appreciate the social context in which it was made, and how the artist used these elements to convey meaning. It's a reminder that art is always connected to the world around it.