A Courtesan

This painting shows a geisha, or courtesan, who was a female entertainer skilled at music and dance. The calligraphy above the figure is a poem by a Confucian scholar, composed in Chinese script. The poem reveals that even a scholarly man was not immune to the charms of a beautiful woman. Taking a long walk reinforced for me the sadness of springtime. The purple ribbon shines when reflected on the red robe. Suddenly, old age comes and what of the past can I recall? Certainly, the sight of a beauty still stirs my heart.

Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust