Young Woman on a Veranda 1650 - 1699

Furuyama Moroshige painted "Young Woman on a Veranda" with ink and color on silk in Japan, sometime in the late 17th century. The image portrays a courtesan in a moment of quiet contemplation. The choice of subject matter speaks to the rise of the merchant class during the Edo period and their fascination with the "floating world" of pleasure quarters. Artists like Moroshige catered to this new audience, depicting the lives of courtesans and actors. The veranda setting, the woman's elaborate kimono, and the tea set all signal a life of leisure and refinement, but also hint at the woman’s restricted social role. Historical documents, such as diaries and government records, alongside analysis of the artistic conventions of the Ukiyo-e school can reveal further insights into the social and institutional contexts that shaped this work. Ultimately, the painting serves as a window into the complex dynamics of class, gender, and artistic patronage in 17th century Japan.