“High-Ranking Courtesan” (Oiran), from the series Five Shades of Ink in the Northern Quarter (Hokkoku goshiki-zumi),

Kitagawa Utamaro Japanese

Not on view

A high-ranking courtesan (oiran) from the Yoshiwara brothel district is captured by the artist in a private moment. Having just washed her
hair, she wets the tip of the brush with her lips as she contemplates writing a letter. The black of her uncoiffed hair and the red accents on her lips, the brush, and the rim of her sleeve contrast with the solid yellow background.

“High-Ranking Courtesan” (Oiran), from the series Five Shades of Ink in the Northern Quarter (Hokkoku goshiki-zumi),, Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, ca. 1754–1806), Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, Japan

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