In a Pleasure House

late 18th century

Not on view

The principal figure in this composition is a courtesan who has paused in front of a folding screen. With her head inclined and her hand resting on the edge of the screen, she stands in an attitude of watching. The cropping necessitated by the narrow format adds mystery to this scene because the object of the courtesan's gaze is beyond the border of the print. In the background another courtesan tenderly observes her sleeping lover. One can surmise that the woman in the foreground also watches a sleeping man, especially since the edge of a bed is just visible at the lower right.

Artwork Details

Title: In a Pleasure House
Artist: Torii Kiyonaga (Japanese, 1752–1815)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: late 18th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: H. 27 7/16 in. (69.7 cm); W. 4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Object Number: JP1729
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Torii Kiyonaga

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Two Women in a Garden, Torii Kiyonaga Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Two Women in a Garden
Torii Kiyonaga
ca. 1789

Ichikawa Danjuro Fifth as Kyo no Jiro in Disguise as Dekuroku byoe the Stree Puppet-showman, Torii Kiyonaga Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Ichikawa Danjuro Fifth as Kyo no Jiro in Disguise as Dekuroku byoe the Stree Puppet-showman
Torii Kiyonaga
ca. 1788

On a Balcony a Woman is Seated Playing a Tsuzumi, below a Man in Daimyo Costume is Seated upon a Black Lacquer Box, Torii Kiyonaga Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — On a Balcony a Woman is Seated Playing a Tsuzumi, below a Man in Daimyo Costume is Seated upon a Black Lacquer Box
Torii Kiyonaga
ca. 1790

Two Women in Summer Costume Taking a Young Girl to a Shinto Temple for the Miya Mairi Ceremony, Torii Kiyonaga Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Two Women in Summer Costume Taking a Young Girl to a Shinto Temple for the Miya Mairi Ceremony
Torii Kiyonaga
ca. 1783

Cooling off at Sashiye, Torii Kiyonaga Japanese, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan — Cooling off at Sashiye
Torii Kiyonaga
ca. 1782

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