A courtesan drapes a phoenix-brocaded robe across her arm

A courtesan is shown half-length, her elaborate black coiffure fixed with combs and long ornamental pins. She wears a deep plum outer kimono over a pink under-robe patterned with small blossoms, and drapes across her arm a mustard-gold robe brocaded with phoenixes and flowering vines. A vertical text cartouche sits at upper right, with the artist's seal and signature beside it.

Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1753–1806) defined the ukiyo-e portrait of women. Working with the publisher Tsutaya Jūzaburō in the 1790s, he introduced the ōkubi-e, or large-head print, which brought the viewer close enough to read a glance or a gesture, and he gave the beauties of the Yoshiwara district individual faces and names. Mica grounds, transparent textiles and fine line work made his prints the most refined of their day. His work is held by the British Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Printed as a museum-grade giclée on Hahnemühle fine art paper using 12-ink archival pigment printing. Available handframed in FSC-certified wood with optional float glass, or unframed. Ships worldwide with free delivery to 30+ countries.