Featured What Is This Painting Done On?

Found this 1950's portrait painting, but cannot figure out what it is painted on. Much thinner than canvas, almost looks like a photo. When held up to the light you can see the brush strokes through the painting. Signed 1955 T. Kitagawa.

 

I can't answer your question about the canvas/cloth, but it looks like there is a lot of info about your artist:
Tamiji Kitagawa (1894-1989)

 

Painted on rice paper?

 

That is a good idea.
Must be frighteningly fragile then I suppose.

 

I say rice paper... what a lovely face... looks bi-racial to me... Asian and Western.

 

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I believe that rice paper is correct for what the painting is done on.

lauragarnet, thanks for the link for the artist. it appears that he had several signature variations depending on the work. I have found a couple of other portraits with this signature attributed to him, bears a little more investigation.

GaleriaGila, I was thinking the same Asian/Western, thanks.

 

Considering the crowd Kitagawa was associated with, especially in Mexico, this portrait bears further investigation indeed.
Looks like it's on a stretcher, that couldn't be rice paper if so. Probably some portrait linen or silk. What does the writing say on the tape, Nancy J...?

 

AH! Silk!!!!

 

anundverkaufen, yes this is on a stretcher

The writing on the tape reads Nancy Jane, I assumed the name of the woman in the portrait.

 

Awesome find.