Nude Beauty was Yorozu’s thesis painting at the Tokyo Art School (now Tokyo University of the Arts). The flame-like movements of the weeds and simplified figure of the nude show influences of Matisse and van Gogh, whose works were beginning to be introduced in Japanese media at that time. The painter’s intense colors and touches are said to have perplexed his teachers including Seiki Kuroda. This is a monumental work heralding the Taisho period (1912-26) when people advocated freedom of expression and respect for individuality.

(Designated an Important Cultural Property on December 4, 2000)