A Beauty Behind a Screen

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This young courtesan lounges in the summer heat, opening her robe at the neck to get some relief. She reclines next to a folding screen with an image of a cherry tree in bloom. Set conveniently nearby are a shamisen—a Japanese traditional instrument—and a songbook. Courtesans were often trained to play as part of their repertoire of entertainments.

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