Courtesan and Attendants

Description

The courtesan wears a pair of tall, lacquered wooden clogs and heavy robes, indicating it is winter. The elaborate span of her tortoiseshell comb in her fashionable coiffure enhances her glamorous appearance. Her blue-and-white striped obi is tied in a loose bow in front, typical for her profession. The round, stylized cherry blossom crest of her "house" (brothel), partially visible on her shoulder just above the shawl, also appears on the robes of her two attendants (kamuro). The attendants hold shuttlecocks, used in a game associated with New Year celebrations. One girl stares out at the viewer; the other looks back. The frontal view of the attendant’s face is somewhat rare in ukiyo-e painting and prints.

Provenance

Nathan Chaikin; (Nathan Chaikin)

Courtesan and Attendants

Engetsudō

c. 1748–51

Accession Number

1985.255

Medium

hanging scroll; ink and color on paper

Dimensions

Overall: 189.8 x 64.8 cm (74 3/4 x 25 1/2 in.); Painting only: 90.2 x 43.8 cm (35 1/2 x 17 1/4 in.)

Classification

Painting

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

The Kelvin Smith Collection, given by Mrs. Kelvin Smith