Courtesan and Lover, ca. 1770

by Koryusai (1735 - 1790)

Current Status

Courtesan and Lover, ca. 1770 by Koryusai (1735 - 1790)

Original Koryusai (1735 - 1790) Japanese Woodblock Print
Courtesan and Lover, ca. 1770

Comments - A beautiful 18th century shunga by Koryusai depicting a young courtesan and her lover. The courtesan leans on the banister of the veranda while the man embraces her from behind. Her eyes are closed and her face is serene as the pair overlooks the Sumida River, a pair of fishermen hauling in their nets below. Most shunga weren't signed by their artists. This is one of only a few examples where the artist has placed his signature into the composition itself. The bamboo screen in the background is signed "Koryu ga". This print is featured in "Japanese Erotic Fantasies" (Uhlenbeck p.100)

This print also features Koryusai's well-known compositional format of positioning the lovers between pairs of parallel diagonal lines. This subject in particular features numerous examples: lines along the veranda rails and walls, the roof, the wooden floor divides, as well as the lines along the wall and floor junctions. A great choice for a collector interest in 18th century artists or the evolution of Japanese erotica.

Artist - Koryusai (1735 - 1790)

Image Size - 9 1/2" x 6 7/8"

Condition - With excellent color and detail. Some rubbing and soiling in subject as shown. A few small holes in subject. Please see photos for details. Good overall.

Courtesan and Lover, ca. 1770 by Koryusai (1735 - 1790)
Courtesan and Lover, ca. 1770 by Koryusai (1735 - 1790)

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