The Courtesan Kisegawa
late 18th century - ca. 1806
Utamaro was the undisputed master of the 'big head' portrait, and this stunning print of the famous courtesan Kisegawa shows exactly why. Notice the impossibly tall, elaborate hairstyle held together by a forest of kanzashi hairpins—it was a major fashion statement in Edo-period Japan, though probably a nightmare to sleep on! The artist signed this as 'Bird High Studio Utamaro,' capturing the elegant, elongated features and delicate red lips that made his pictures of beautiful women the absolute hottest tickets of the late 18th century.
- Technique
- woodblock print
- Material
- paper
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