Portrait of a Courtesan Walking
Terms of Use
Usage Conditions ApplyAt A Glance
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Period
ca. 1815-1819 -
Geography
Japan -
Material
Ink, color, and gold on silk -
Dimension
H x W (image): 110.4 x 41.8 cm (43 7/16 x 16 7/16 in) -
Accession Number
F1954.119 -
EDAN ID
edanmdm:fsg_F1954.119
Object Details
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Artist
Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾北斎 (1760-1849) -
School/Tradition
Ukiyo-e -
Label
Dressed in brilliantly decorated, billowing robes, a courtesan struts forward, lifting her skirt to expose her lacquered platform shoe (geta). The energetic, mannered contour lines in this painting are characteristic of Hokusai's work during the decade after 1810, when he used the artistic name "Taito," with which he signed this painting. Hokusai's painting style evolved markedly during his long and productive career; this work is significantly different from "Courtesan" (see F1903.129), which he painted about two decades earlier. In the earlier painting, the kimono flows over the woman's body, emphasizing her elongated form, whereas in this image, voluminous layers of kimono form a striking and dominant pattern of color and line. -
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection -
Exhibition History
Hokusai: Mad About Painting (November 20, 2019 to January 9, 2022)Hokusai: Paintings and Drawings (January 28, 2012 to June 24, 2012)Seasons: Arts of Japan (February 5, 2011 to January 13, 2013)Hokusai (October 25, 2005 to May 14, 2006)Surveying the Collections: Poets and Parties (July 2, 2000 to February 4, 2001)Japanese Ukiyo-e Painting (May 2, 1973 to July 1, 1974)Japanese Art, Galleries 3, 4, and 5 (January 1, 1963 to September 16, 1970)Ukiyo-e Exhibition (August 7, 1961 to January 1, 1963)Hokusai Bicentennial Exhibition (March 30, 1960 to August 16, 1961)Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 3 and 4 (February 25, 1956 to January 1, 1963) -
Origin
Japan -
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment -
Type
Painting -
Restrictions and Rights
Usage Conditions Apply
There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
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