Black Fan

Fujishima painted this image of a woman, using a model, during his stay in Italy. He was evidently strongly attached to the painting, with its connections to his memories of Italy, and refused to part with it, keeping it in his studio until the end of his life. The white veil and black fan are thought to reflect the influence of a taste for things Spanish. The brushwork in the veil and fan are packed with a sense of speed and power, while the face, especially the nose and cheeks, are filled with a limpid gentleness. Fujishima used a translucent blue for the shadows and bright pink for the highlights of the left check. The red of the firm lips and blue of the eyes are also striking. While Fujishima worked with a restricted set of colors in this painting, the bright hues he deliberately placed here and there enhance its charm.