Three Girls Having Tea - Nishikawa Sukenobu

A refined Ukiyo-e painting by Nishikawa Sukenobu depicting three women sharing tea and music in a traditional setting.

Nishikawa Sukenobu was a prolific artist based in Kyoto, known for his contributions to the Ukiyo-e genre through both woodblock prints and paintings. This work depicts three women engaged in a tea ceremony, a common subject in the Edo period that allowed artists to explore domestic life and fashion. The composition is arranged with a focus on the interaction between the figures, as one woman offers a cup to another while the third sits with a shamisen nearby.

The figures are rendered with the characteristic grace of Sukenobu's style, featuring elongated forms and carefully delineated facial features. Their kimono patterns are executed with precision, demonstrating the artist's attention to the textile designs popular among the urban classes of the time. The inclusion of the tea set and the musical instrument provides a glimpse into the leisure activities of women in the eighteenth century.

Sukenobu's approach to the Ukiyo-e style differs from the later, more dramatic prints of the Edo school. His work often maintains a sense of calm and balance, prioritising the elegance of the pose over exaggerated movement. The use of ink on silk allows for subtle gradations in the drapery of the garments, creating a sense of volume despite the relatively flat spatial arrangement. This piece serves as a record of the aesthetic values and social customs of the period, captured through the lens of a master illustrator who influenced many subsequent artists in the genre.