Artwork
Courtesan Reading a Letter
Courtesan Reading a Letter is an unspecified painting by the Ukiyo-e artist Ishikawa Toyonobu. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
The painting Courtesan Reading a Letter by Ishikawa Toyonobu is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The painting titled Courtesan Reading a Letter was created by the Japanese artist Ishikawa Toyonobu in 1750. Originating in Japan, the work depicts a woman engaged in the act of reading. It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The available records do not provide specific details regarding the original commission, the initial owner, or the subsequent chain of ownership leading to its current location.
The painting Courtesan Reading a Letter by Ishikawa Toyonobu is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Created in 1750, the work depicts a woman engaged in reading. While the museum is identified as the current location and custodian of the piece, the provided records do not list a specific inventory or accession number, nor do they detail any past or current exhibitions featuring this specific artwork.
Overview
Courtesan Reading a Letter, painted by Ishikawa Toyonobu around 1750, is a significant work held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting offers a glimpse into a private moment, portraying a woman absorbed in reading. It exemplifies the artist's ability to convey a sense of quiet intimacy and focused attention through a carefully composed domestic scene.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a woman, identified as a courtesan, engrossed in reading a scroll. Her calm posture within a private, enclosed space suggests a moment of personal focus and introspection. The scene invites viewers to observe her private world, framed by the dark borders of the composition, emphasizing the intimacy of the depicted act.
Technique & Style
The composition features a woman seated on a tatami mat, adorned in a red and white kimono, within a room characterized by dark blue patterned walls. She holds a white fan while intently reading a scroll. Behind her, a small table holds a candle and a box, beside a sliding door with a white paper screen. Another scroll, depicting a horse and text, hangs on the wall, adding detail to the domestic setting.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Ishikawa Toyonobu spent his life in Edo, now Tokyo, where he carved and printed the everyday scenes of city life.
- Untitled
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