Courtesan

Kaigetsudō Dohan Japanese

Not on view

Most of the school's works are of a single, standing courtesan dressed in voluminous robes with bold designs. Like other early woodblock prints, they were printed in ink alone (sumizuri-e), with colors occasionally added by hand. Among the twelve known print designs by Dohan, to our knowledge this one is known only through this impression. Especially characteristic of Kaigetsudō beauties are the bold lines of the swirling robe, effectively accented here by the black hair.

Courtesan, Kaigetsudō Dohan (active 1710–16), Monochrome woodblock print (sumizuri-e); ink on paper, Japan

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