Uemura Matsuen 150th Anniversary Retrospective at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka (March 29–June 1)
Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Uemura Matsuen (1875-1949), the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka presents a major retrospective exhibition from March 29th to June 1st, 2025. Uemura Matsuen established herself as a preeminent figure in the genre of bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) during a period when female artists faced significant societal constraints. Through remarkable dedication and effort, she not only gained renown but also carved out a unique artistic path. While deeply respecting and studying artistic traditions, Matsuen developed her own distinct mode of figurative expression, consistently pursuing and depicting her idealized vision of femininity throughout her life.
Her portrayals of elegant and pure female figures possess a timeless quality that continues to resonate deeply with contemporary audiences. Matsuen’s prolific artistic career spanned six decades, leaving an indelible mark on the trajectory of modern Japanese art. Furthermore, her achievements position her as a crucial pioneer for subsequent generations of female artists in Japan. This exhibition represents the first large-scale retrospective of her work to be hosted at an Osaka museum, offering a significant opportunity to engage with her legacy.
The exhibition brings together an impressive collection of over 100 works, meticulously tracing Matsuen’s artistic development from her early explorations to her mature, later-period style. Visitors will have the chance to view celebrated masterpieces, including pieces designated as Important Cultural Properties such as Mother and Child and Jo-no-mai (First Dance). Other significant works on display include Kusazoshiarai-Komachi and Late Autumn. This comprehensive assembly of exquisite paintings provides a thorough overview of Uemura Matsuen’s influential artistic journey.
■ Related Events
A series of lectures and gallery talks will accompany the exhibition, offering deeper insights into Uemura Matsuen’s art and context:
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March 29 (Sat) Lecture: "On the Art of Uemura Matsuen (Tentative Title)"
- Speaker: Reiko Nakamura (Chief Researcher, The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo)
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April 26 (Sat) Lecture: "The Transition of Female Figures Depicted by Uemura Matsuen"
- Speaker: Satoshi Yamada (Art Historian)
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May 11 (Sun) Lecture: "20th Century Female Painters"
- Speakers: Megumi Kitahara (Professor Emeritus, Osaka University), Tomoko Ogawa (Curator, Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art)
Details for the above three lectures:
- Time: 14:00 – 15:30 (Doors open at 13:30)
- Venue: Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art, 1st floor hall
- Capacity: 150 people (Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis; no prior registration is required)
- Fee: Free admission to the lecture itself; however, an exhibition ticket (a used stub is acceptable) is required for entry.
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April 16 (Wed) & May 22 (Thu) Gallery Talk by the Curator in Charge
- Time: 15:00 – 15:45
- Capacity: 30 people (Prior registration is required)
- Venue: Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art, 4th floor exhibition room
- Fee: Free admission to the talk; however, an exhibition ticket valid for the day of the talk is required.
Exhibition Details
- Exhibition Period: March 29 (Sat) – June 1 (Sun), 2025
- First Period: March 29 – May 11
- Second Period: May 13 – June 1
- Closed: Mondays, and Wednesday, May 7. Please note the museum will be open on Monday, April 28 and Monday, May 5 (national holiday).
- Opening Hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (Last admission is at 16:30)
- Venue: Osaka Nakanoshima Museum of Art, 4th floor exhibition room (4-3-1 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka City)
- Admission Fees:
- General: 1,800 yen (1,600 yen)
- University/High School Students: 1,500 yen (1,300 yen)
- Elementary/Junior High School Students: 500 yen (300 yen)
- Prices shown in parentheses represent advance purchase or group rates. Advance tickets are available for purchase until 23:59 on Friday, March 28.
- Residents of Osaka City aged 65 and over are subject to the standard general admission fee.
- Contact: 06-4301-7285 (Osaka City General Call Center / Naniwa Call)
- Reception Hours: 8:00 – 21:00 (Open year-round)
- Official Website/SNS: https://art.nikkei.com/shoen/
Understanding Bijin-ga
Bijin-ga, meaning "pictures of beautiful women," is a genre of Japanese art that depicts women, emphasizing their beauty, grace, and elegance. This genre played a significant role in Japanese art history, especially during the Edo period, and is closely linked with ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Artists in this genre portrayed women in various contexts, from everyday life to more idealized representations, capturing the fashion, hairstyles, and cultural practices of the time.
Beyond physical beauty, bijin-ga reflects cultural and aesthetic values, illustrating idealized femininity and the societal roles of women in historical Japan. Artists like Uemura Matsuen, known for their skill in bijin-ga, have enriched the genre with emotional depth and technical precision, creating works that continue to engage audiences. Through the use of color, composition, and expression, bijin-ga provides insight into Japan’s cultural and artistic heritage, encouraging viewers to appreciate the complexity of its subjects.
