Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1829)

Standing courtesan

Details

Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1829)
Standing courtesan
Signed Toryo ga and sealed Kinba taiin
Hanging scroll; ink, color and gold on silk
33¾ x 13in. (85.7 x 33cm.)

Provenance

Henri Vever, Paris

PUBLISHED:
Tamamushi Satoko, Sakai Hoitsu, Shincho bijutsu bunko, vol. 18 (Tokyo: Shinchosha, 1997), pl. 3.

Lot Essay

There is a large cherry-blossom pattern along the edge of the beauty's outer robe, a crest associated with the courtesan Hanaogi of the Gomeiro Ogiya in the Yoshiwara. Hanaogi was especially popular in the 1780s and Hoitsu is known to have used her as a model for his paintings of beautiful women.

The almond-shaped eyes show the strong influence of Hoitsu's teacher, Utagawa Toyoharu (1735-1814).

Another painting by Hoitsu with the same signature was sold in these Rooms, 23 March, 2004, lot 117.

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