Page 107 - September 21 2021 Important Japanese Art Christie's NYC

127 KITAGAWA UTAMARO (1754-1806)

The courtesan Hanaogi of
the house Ogiya at Edomachi

itchome, with attendants

Yoshino and Tatsuta

Woodblock print, from an untitled series
of courtesans compared to flowers, signed
Utamaro hitsu, circa 1802
Vertical oban: 14√ x 10 in. (37.8 x 25.4 cm.)

$20,000-25,000

The courtesan, Hanaogi holding her brush between her teeth
before writing a letter to an important customer, admirer,
perhaps, or the latest novelette. Utamaro has caught a famous
beauty unawares. The paparazzo effect is calculated, however,
as there is no indication she or any of the beautiful women
Utamaro drew ever sat for him. Like today’s glossed mannequins
and influencers on the internet, her purpose is to advertise the
possibility of pleasure: most obviously here, the exclusive Ogiya
brothel (fig. 1.) in Yoshiwara, where she works, her chic hairstyle
and the pattern and color combo of her robes.

Fig. 1 Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849). New Year’s Day at an exclusive brothel, Ogiya in the Yoshiwara. Japan. Edo period, 19th century