Standing Prostitute, Baiyuken Katsunobu, 1716-1735. The artist used the 'S' curve posture to connote femininity. Feminine though his subject be, this hanging scroll is labeled 'Standing Prostitute' to distinguish it from portraits of Geishas. A misconception occurred in Western culture when images of courtesans, aka 'prostitutes' were falsely described as Geishas. In contrast, a great deal of training goes into the making of a Geisha, literally 'persons of art'.

 <<   *   >>