Courtesan Painting a Screen, from a series of 12 erotic prints c. 1711

Torii Kiyonobu I created this erotic woodblock print titled "Courtesan Painting a Screen" as part of a series of twelve, some time before 1729. These prints emerged during the Edo period in Japan, a time of economic growth and strict social order, where the pleasure quarters became a focal point of urban life. The courtesan, adorned in a flower-patterned kimono, is actively creating art, challenging conventional gender roles of the time. This print offers a glimpse into the lives of women in the entertainment industry, whose identities were often complex. The erotic context complicates the visual narrative of a woman who is in control of her self-expression. It raises questions about agency, performance, and the gaze in both art and life. These prints prompt us to consider the intersection of gender, class, and sexuality within the historical context of Edo-period Japan, reflecting the intimate and often contradictory dynamics of human relationships.