Woman Applying Rouge

This elegant painting by Goyo Hashiguchi portrays a Japanese woman delicately applying rouge to her lips. Titled "Woman Applying Rouge," the artwork vividly captures a moment of personal grooming with a focus on fine details and graceful aesthetics typical of Hashiguchi’s style.The woman in the painting is dressed in a striking kimono that features intricate patterns and vivid colors, including greens, reds, blues, and golds. These colors harmonize with her subtly shaded pale skin and dark hair, emphasizing both her beauty and the garment's craftsmanship. Her hairstyle is traditional and ornate, accented with colorful kanzashi (hair ornaments) that add an additional layer of texture and detail to the composition.The background of the painting is simple and understated, allowing the viewer's attention to focus entirely on the subject and her activity. The neutral pink tone highlights the richness of the kimono and the soft features of the woman. She holds a small, red compact mirror in her left hand, contrasting beautifully with her translucent skin tone and the darker pigments of her features.This artwork not only illustrates the artist’s meticulous technique in shin-hanga, a style known for its blend of traditional and modern art forms, but also provides a glimpse into the cultural aspects of beauty and daily life in Japan during the early 20th century. Hashiguchi's knack for capturing subtle expressions and details humanizes this portrait, making it both a personal and culturally rich visual experience.