Kikugawa Eizan (1787-1867)
A high-ranking courtesan and her visitor making love. Behind them a dish with a tai bream, behind their heads a lacquer box and a sake kettle with a bowl.
Series: E-awase kingaishô (kinkaishô) (A picture contest in the brocade quarters)
Date: 1815
Size: Horizontal Ôban, 25,4 x 37,5 cm
Excellent impression and colours, with metal pigments (oxidized). The usual vertical centrefold smoothed. In the man's tobacco pocket a small fracture, caused by oxidation of the metal pigment. Minimal soiling and rubbing in bottom, some minor paper damages expertly restored. Very good overall condition.
From a very fine and rare series of twelve magnificent erotic prints, in which the artist places particular emphasis on the lavish, brocade-like design of the surfaces.
Calza, Poem of the Pillow and other stories. London/New York 2010, p. 405ff (fig. p. 410). See also Timothy Clark et al., Shunga, sex and pleasure in Japanese Art. Cat. British Museum 2013, p. 415f.; also Ofer Shagan, Japanese Erotic Art. The Hidden World of Shunga, London 2013, p. 121, no. 6.10.
sold