Japan, circa 1880, by Kusakabe Kimbei

19th century Japanese photographers often hired painters to hand color their photographs to create more arresting images. These painters were frequently talented artists in their own right. This image, of a craftsman applying a touch of red paint to the parasol he is making, is a perfect example of this high level of artistic sensibility. The brilliant white light emanating from the parasol (representative of a parasol’s use in reflecting the sun?) creates a luminous effect that rivals many traditional artist’s work.