A Courtesan with Wisteria on the Background 1615 - 1831

"A Courtesan with Wisteria on the Background" is a woodblock print created by Utamaro II, a Japanese artist active in the 19th century. The print depicts a courtesan, a high-ranking female entertainer in Edo-era Japan, adorned in elaborate clothing and a hairstyle with intricate hairpins. The courtesan holds a fan and is standing against a background of cascading wisteria blossoms, a popular motif in Japanese art representing beauty and transience. This piece is a fine example of ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese art that flourished from the 17th to the 19th centuries, focusing on the everyday life and popular culture of the time.