Uemura Shōen
The Japanese painter Uemura Shōen was born shortly after Japan’s Edo period ended, a time during which women who could paint were considered cultured and greatly admired—as long as they did it behind closed doors. When an upper-class woman married, she would take a konrei chōdo (bridal furnishing set) to her new marital home that would often include brushes and painting supplies; she could paint freely (in private) or in front of friends, but it would be nothing beyond a hobby.
Shōen (born Uemura Tsune) was one of the first women to start changing this mentality and went on to become one of Japan’s most renowned female artists. Shōen’s admiration for ukiyo-e, Japanese woodblock print, influenced her style as she developed new techniques and drew a range of subjects. She became most famous for her paintings of female figures, known as bijin-ga. Traditionally bijin-ga paintings were of courtesans but in a more modern interpretation of the genre, Shōen chose to celebrate ordinary woman as opposed to the idealized entertainers. Today we present a great example of her work, two women struggling with the snow. :)
P.S. Have you heard of Nōguchi Shōhin? She was one of the first women artists of the Edo period; read her story here. :)
P.P.S. Please check out our 2022 artsy paper calendars here (which are now on sale btw.), full of beautiful pieces of art like today's!