Half-length Portrait of Two Courtesans
1780
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1780
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This print shows two women leaning toward each other, their faces close. One holds a fan with white flowers, while the other rests her hand on a basket. Their hair is styled high, and they wear soft, flowing robes in muted pinks and greens. The background is simple, with just a hint of plants and a patterned cloth. The women look relaxed, almost playful, as if sharing a secret. The artist used bold outlines and flat colors, which was common in Japanese prints of this time. Next, check out the work of Kitagawa Utamaro.
