Lady Kaguya Smiled to herself
An Original Ink, Gouache and Watercolour Painting Lady Kaguya Smiled to herself
1971.
A large original ink and watercolour on paper. 44 cm x 33cm. Signed in the lower left hand corner. The illustration, which depicts the beautiful heroine and five of her suitors, appears in Rosemary Harris's retelling of the old Japanese legend "The Child in the Bamboo Grove." In very good condition, with central creases where the picture was folded and very slight edge wear.
The painting appears in Rosemary Harris's retelling of the old Japanese legend "The Child in the Bamboo Grove." This ancient Japanese legend tells of a bamboo cutter who finds a baby girl in the forest and raises her lovingly. The girl grows into a great beauty attracting all manner of suitors, but she evades even the five most persistent by setting them impossible tasks. At last a visit from the smitten emperor himself precipitates her return to her real father, the sun, leaving behind an undying elixir which bums still on the summit of Fuji-yama.
Le Cain's painting is made to resemble old Japanese screens and scroll paintings, with a predominantly ochre background. The use of white gouache for the faces is particularly striking.
PROVENANCE: From the collection of Barrie Merritt, close friend and colleague of Le Cain's at Pearl and Dean studios. Purchased from an exhibition of Le Cain's work in the early 1970's.
Stock ID: 39774
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