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Japanese girl painting her lips, 1864. Creator: Mason Jackson
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Japanese girl painting her lips, 1864. Creator: Mason Jackson
Japanese girl painting her lips, 1864. Engraving of a sketch...by Mr. C. Wirgman, our special artist...[of] a young girl painting her face after the usual daily bath. It is only the young and pretty, in Japan, who ever think it worth while to practice these arts of adornment...The girl seen in our engraving takes extraordinary pains to improve the charms with which Nature has endowed her. She has first whitewashed her face and neck, then she tints her cheeks with lake, and paints her lips brilliantly with a mixture of crimson and gold, using a fine hair brush for the purpose. The effect is rather displeasing to the European eye, but if the Japanese admire it, we can only say it is a matter of taste. Notwithstanding this strange freak of fashion, Japanese women are said to be very attractive'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864
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Media ID 38073391
© The Print Collector/Heritage Images
Beautiful Beauty Brush Charles Wirgman Cosmetics Jackson M Jackson Mason Lipstick Looking Glass M Jackson Make Up Makeup Mason Jackson Mirror Screen Shimada Taste Wirgman Charles Hairdressing Posture
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a moment in 1864 Japan, showcasing a young girl meticulously painting her lips after her daily bath. The engraving, based on a sketch by Mr. C. Wirgman, provides insight into the beauty rituals of Japanese women during the 19th century.
The girl's dedication to enhancing her natural charms is evident as she whitewashes her face and neck before applying lake tint to her cheeks. With precision and care, she paints her lips with a mixture of crimson and gold using a fine hair brush. While this may seem unusual to the European eye, it reflects the cultural norms and standards of beauty in Japan at that time.
Despite differing opinions on aesthetics, there is no denying the allure of this young woman as she adorns herself in traditional attire and practices ancient cosmetic techniques. The intricate details captured in this engraving offer a glimpse into a world where artistry and adornment were valued expressions of femininity.
Mason Jackson's portrayal of this scene from "Illustrated London News" serves as both a historical document and an artistic interpretation of Japanese beauty traditions from centuries past. It invites viewers to appreciate the complexity and diversity of global fashion practices throughout history.
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