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A Sex Worker and Client Watched by Her Attendant

ca. 1710

Japanese, 1664 - 1729

Kiyonobu was the founder of the illustrious Torii school, known for its dynamic actor prints of posturing kabuki stars. His erotic prints adopt some of the theatricality of the stage, as evidenced by this print in which the performance of a coupling pair has attracted an audience. The passing attendant, holding a teacup, allows herself a stolen glance at the lovemaking couple, who seem oblivious to the young voyeur.

Woodblock print; ink on paper

10 1/8 x 15 in. (25.7 x 38.1 cm)

Gift of Mary and Allan Kollar

2011.40.2

Provenance: Collection of Shibui Kiyoshi (1899-1992), Japan; [Sebastian Izzard, New York]; purchased from gallery by Allan Kollar, Seattle, Washington, 2009; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2011

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Fleeting Beauty: Japanese Woodblock Prints, Apr. 1 - July 4, 2010. Text by Catherine Roche. Cat. no. 2, reproduced p. 25.

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Renegade Edo: Japanese Prints and Toulouse-Lautrec, July 21 - Dec. 3, 2023. Text by Xiaojin Wu. No cat. no., p. 102.

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