Young Woman in Kimono
Artist: Alfred H. Maurer (American, 1868 - 1932)
Original Dimensions: 30" × 28 13/16"
Location: National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About Artwork: (1901) "An elegant woman is swathed in a sumptuous kimono, one hand resting on the back of a wooden chair and the other holding a partially opened fan. Artist Alfred Maurer emphasized the purely visual, aesthetic aspects of the scene—the use of diagonals, asymmetry, and contrasting colors—rather than suggesting a narrative.
Through the painting’s shallow space and decorative patterning, and the incorporation of objects referencing Japan, Young Woman in Kimono evinces Maurer’s fascination with popular elements of Japanese art and design. In the late nineteenth century, Japanese prints circulated widely in European and American markets, and collectors eagerly amassed Japanese decorative arts. This historical captivation with Japan, which did not necessarily reflect a deep understanding of Japanese culture, was known as japonisme." - (National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.)

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