Artwork preview

Courtesans in an Iris Garden

Katsukawa Shunchō

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Colorful woodblock print of multiple women and a small child in a garden. The scene features a group of women standing on a path and a low bridge, wearing traditional Japanese clothing including kimonos and headpieces. Some of the women wear undergarments beneath their partially open kimonos. The women are surrounded by tall green and purple irises. A weeping willow tree hangs over the scene on the right side. The group walks toward the right side of the image. The background shows more trees and greenery. The overall color palette is soft and subdued with shades of pink, peach and black. The image is presented as a triptych. The artwork is titled "Courtesans in an Iris Garden" and was created by Katsukawa Shunchō.

Artwork Details

Date
late 18th century
Medium
Triptych of woodblock prints; ink and color on paper
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
599 × 305 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette