Who painted Courtesan and Sleeping Attendant?

Courtesan and Sleeping Attendant was painted by Suzuki Harunobu in 1764.

Where can I see Courtesan and Sleeping Attendant?

Courtesan and Sleeping Attendant is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Courtesan and Sleeping Attendant?

Courtesan and Sleeping Attendant is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Courtesan and Sleeping Attendant

Suzuki Harunobu , 1764

Courtesan and Sleeping Attendant is a print by the Romanticist artist Suzuki Harunobu. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work is a woodblock print depicting a courtesan rising from a bed while her attendant remains asleep.

About this work

Overview

The work is a woodblock print depicting a courtesan rising from a bed while her attendant remains asleep. The scene is set within an interior where the courtesan’s bright garments contrast sharply with the muted tones of the surrounding textiles, creating a vivid visual focus on the two figures.

Subject & Meaning

The courtesan is shown in the act of leaving the bed, her obi sash tied at the front—a detail that signals her higher social rank. In contrast, the attendant’s sash is bound at the back, a conventional indicator of lower status. The juxtaposition of wakefulness and sleep may allude to the differing roles and responsibilities of the two women.

Technique & Style

The image is produced by pressing a carved woodblock, left uninked, onto the paper to emboss the folds of fabric, giving the impression of three‑dimensional texture. This method aligns with the delicate, decorative approach characteristic of mid‑Edo period prints, especially those associated with the artist Suzuki Harunobu.

History & Provenance

The print is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Its acquisition details are recorded in the museum’s catalog, confirming its status as a representative example of the genre.

Context

During the Edo period, prints often portrayed scenes from the lives of courtesans, using visual cues such as obi placement to convey social hierarchy. The work reflects contemporary aesthetic preferences for intricate patterning and subtle narrative detail.