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Emperor Ming Huang and Yang Guifei Playing a Flute Together

Emperor Ming Huang and Yang Guifei Playing a Flute Together

(Japanese, 1786?–1868)
Medium/TechniqueWoodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
DimensionsShikishiban; 21.2 x 18.7 cm (8 3/8 x 7 3/8 in.)
Credit LineGeneral Funds
Accession number00.1933
On View
Not on view
ClassificationsPrints
Description

The Chinese beauty Yang Guifei, consort of the Emperor Ming Huang (reigned 713–55), was supposedly so beautiful that she caused him to neglect his duties and led to the downfall of his reign. Here the elderly emperor and his young consort play the flute as one, displaying their romantic attachment. During the 1820s, Gakutei became increasingly enamored of pattern, seen here in a combination of both printed pattern and embossed pattern to dazzling effect.

ProvenanceJanuary 1900, purchased at the Brinkley-Condor Sale by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. (Accession Date: January 9, 1900)
Shamisen, No. 1 (Sono ichi) from the series The Three Musical Instruments (Sankyoku)
Shamisen, No. 1 (Sono ichi) from the series The Three Musical Instruments (Sankyoku)
Yashima Gakutei
about 1820s
No. 1, Liu Bei (Sono ichi, Ryûbi), from the series Three Heroes of the State of Shu (Shoku sanketsu)
No. 1, Liu Bei (Sono ichi, Ryûbi), from the series Three Heroes of the State of Shu (Shoku sanketsu)
Yashima Gakutei
about 1824 (Bunsei 7)
Longevity: Wo Quan (Ju, Akuzen), from the series Happiness, Prosperity, and Longvity (Fukurokuju)
Longevity: Wo Quan (Ju, Akuzen), from the series Happiness, Prosperity, and Longvity (Fukurokuju)
Yashima Gakutei
about 1824 (Bunsei 7)
Japanese Poetry, from the series Three Arts for the Sugawara Group (Sugawara sanseki)
Japanese Poetry, from the series Three Arts for the Sugawara Group (Sugawara sanseki)
Yashima Gakutei
about 1824 (Bunsei 7)
Woman Representing Benzaiten, from the series Allusions to the Seven Lucky Gods (Mitate shichifukujin)
Woman Representing Benzaiten, from the series Allusions to the Seven Lucky Gods (Mitate shichifukujin)
Yashima Gakutei
late 1820s
Murasaki no ue, from the series Two Beauties from the Tale of Genji (Gengo nikajin)
Murasaki no ue, from the series Two Beauties from the Tale of Genji (Gengo nikajin)
Yashima Gakutei
about 1823–25 (Bunsei 6–8)
Literary Composition (Bunshô), from the series Seven Pictures for the Katsushika Group (Katsushika shichiban tsuzuki)
Literary Composition (Bunshô), from the series Seven Pictures for the Katsushika Group (Katsushika shichiban tsuzuki)
Yashima Gakutei
about 1830 (Bunsei 13/Tenpô 1)
Lady Fujitsubo (Fujitsubo no nyôgo), from the series Two Beauties from the Tale of Genji (Gengo nikajin)
Lady Fujitsubo (Fujitsubo no nyôgo), from the series Two Beauties from the Tale of Genji (Gengo nikajin)
Yashima Gakutei
about 1823–25 (Bunsei 6–8)
Lacquer Bowls and Paper Wrappings
Lacquer Bowls and Paper Wrappings
Yashima Gakutei
1816 (Bunka 13)
No. 5, Hu Yanzhuo (Ko Enshaku), from the series Five Tiger Generals of the Suikoden (Suikoden goko shôgun)
No. 5, Hu Yanzhuo (Ko Enshaku), from the series Five Tiger Generals of the Suikoden (Suikoden goko shôgun)
Yashima Gakutei
about 1828 (Bunsei 11)
Bracken Fern Sprouts (Sawarabi), from the series A Set of Five Designs for the Katsushika Group: Textiles Dyed the Colors of Spring Dawn (Katsushika goban haru no akebono-zome)
Bracken Fern Sprouts (Sawarabi), from the series A Set of Five Designs for the Katsushika Group: Textiles Dyed the Colors of Spring Dawn (Katsushika goban haru no akebono-zome)
Yashima Gakutei
about 1830 (Bunsei 13/Tenpô 1)
Butterflies (Kochô), from the series A Set of Five Designs for the Katsushika Group: Textiles Dyed the Colors of Spring Dawn (Katsushika goban haru no akebono-zome)
Butterflies (Kochô), from the series A Set of Five Designs for the Katsushika Group: Textiles Dyed the Colors of Spring Dawn (Katsushika goban haru no akebono-zome)
Yashima Gakutei
about 1830 (Bunsei 13/Tenpô 1)