Courtesan
Facsimiles of works in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. : Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1903.129.
These images are based on the high resolution facsimile produced by the Tsuzuri Project. Unauthorized copying, duplication, or transfer of these images is strictly prohibited.
DATA
- Artist:
- Katsushika Hokusai
- Historical era:
- Edo (18th century)
- Material:
- printed on washi paper
- Medium:
- hanging scroll
- Theme:
- High Resolution Facsimile of Japanese Art Abroad
- Size:
- H71.4 × W24.2 cm
- Recipient:
- Sumida Ward
- depository:
- The Sumida Hokusai MuseumMAP
[Original]
- Current owner:
- The Freer Gallery of Art of the Smithsonian Institution
- Material:
- ink, color on paper
DESCRIPTION
Hokusai produced a particularly large number of original paintings during the last years of his life. However, as his signature “Sori” applied to it indicates, this work was produced while he was in his mid-thirties, during the first years of his career, right after he broke away from his master Katsukawa Shunsho. This work, critics say, was influenced by Kitagawa Utamaro, the great master of bijin-ga Ukiyo-e portraying beautiful women. The way the courtesan looks while biting her kimono collar, which depicts cherry blossoms scattered over its edges, makes us imagine that she is meditating. Is it because of the letter she is holding in her right hand? In 1903, Charles Lang Freer obtained this work from the Japanese fine art dealer Kobayashi Bunshichi.