About the artist
Born in 1671, Sukenobu Nishikawa (né Sukenobu Fujiwara) lived his entire life the imperial capital of Kyoto. He began his artistic career as a painter studying in the Kano school before turning to the tutelage of Mitsusuke Tosa. Sukenobu changed teachers again as he left painting for ukiyo-e and the mentorship of Hanbei Yoshida, a prominent member of Kyoto’s ukiyo-e school. Sukenobu produced a large body of work including albums, single-sheet prints, and ehon (illustrated books). Sukenobu released his first signed work in 1710. His designs were published in both Kyoto and Osaka. Sukenobu’s work favors bijin (beautiful women) in the characteristic Kyoto style—delicate and graceful—but also portrays historical scenes and legendary subjects. He passed away in 1751.