Flames
Shoen Uemura · 1918
Why it's great
A woman in a robe stands in a swirl of orange-red flames, her hair and clothing streaming behind her. Uemura Shōen, one of Japan's greatest women painters, painted this in 1918, based on a legend of jealousy from a Noh play. The flames seem to come from her own feelings. It's a powerful picture by a master artist.
Where to see it
📍 Tokyo National MuseumTokyo, Japan
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Uemura Shōen was born in Kyoto, and became one of Japan's greatest women painters. She was best known for beautiful pictures of women in traditional style. She was the first woman to receive the Order of Culture, Japan's high honor, in 1948. She died in 1949.
