Portrait of Takao

Kondō Katsunobu (Japanese)

Edo. ink and color on paper. 46.5 x 20.5 cm см. Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Takao was a famous, high-ranking geisha. Glamorous women like Takao were the supermodels of their day, and with support of their wealthy patrons, they set the trends in fashion and behavior. It is probably not an accident that her garment casually falls from her shoulder.