Portrait of a Lady

Sawabe Seigoro studied under Asai Chu at the Shogoin Institute of Western Art and Kansai Bijutsuin, and became a prominent Western-style painter on the Kansai art scene. His activities were wide-ranging, including Japanese-style painting, interior design, and original designs for decorative textiles. This painting was completed during Sawabe’s stay in France. During this period Sawabe frequently drew a woman named Suzanne, who is believed to be the model for this work. Behind the fabric, a red flower placed on a desk adds depth to the entire scene. The dramatic color contrast of the red fabric occupying more than half of the background and the model’s black attire reflects Sawabe’s exceptional design sensibility, which he honed during his studies abroad, and which led to a subsequent career as a designer. (J.A.)