The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 26, 2024
Courtesan Seated on a Bench Enjoying the Evening Cool in Summer
1615–1868
(Japanese, dates unknown)
Overall: 78 x 31.6 cm (30 11/16 x 12 7/16 in.)
Gift of Mieko and Sebastian Izzard 1998.290
Location: not on view
Description
In a pensive pose with her chin resting in her hand, a courtesan is seated on a wooden bench that extends diagonally across the lower half of the scroll. Her open robe suggests that it is a warm evening-perhaps late summer or early fall, as indicated by the grapevine pattern on her kimono. The floral patterns in the composition hint at the seasons: the plum blossom on the fan for spring; grape pattern on the robe for late summer; and chrysanthemum design on the bench indicating autumn. Note also how the grapevine pattern in the painting's mounting mimics the design of her kimono. The overall mood is one of intimacy, created by Hõryþ through the delicate rendering of the courtesan's facial features and hands. In contrast to the other scrolls of beauties nearby, the artist here portrayed his subject with little background, allowing her grace and elegance to carry the picture.- Later Japanese Art Gallery Rotation (Gallery 113); August 26 - December 2, 2003.Later Japanese Art Gallery Rotation (Gallery 113); February 20 - May 6, 2003.
- {{cite web|title=Courtesan Seated on a Bench Enjoying the Evening Cool in Summer|url=false|author=Kamigaki Hōryū|year=1615–1868|access-date=26 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1998.290