Artwork
Courtesan
Courtesan is an unspecified painting by the Romanticist artist Keisai Eisen. It dates from 1804 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1985.253
- Credit line
- The Kelvin Smith Collection, given by Mrs. Kelvin Smith
About this work
Overview
Courtesan is a painting by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Ikeda Eisen, created around 1804. It is a representative work of the late Edo period, exemplifying the artist's style within the ukiyo-e tradition.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a woman, likely a courtesan, standing on a grassy path, holding a fan and a scroll. Her elegant attire and poised demeanor convey a sense of refinement and beauty.
Technique & Style
The work showcases Eisen's use of vibrant colors and fluid lines to convey a sense of movement. The simple background and focus on the figure reflect the ōkubi-e format, emphasizing the subject's elegance and stylized beauty.
History & Provenance
Courtesan is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, representing the ukiyo-e tradition's depiction of urban life and popular culture through woodblock prints.
Artist & collection
Artist
Eisen lived in Edo (now Tokyo) when the city pulsed with theaters, teahouses, and woodblock prints.
