Kikukawa Eizan's Woodblock Print of Courtesan Hinaaya in Van Gogh Collection

The woodblock print 'The Courtesan Hinaaya of the Chōji House' by Kikukawa Eizan, part of the series 'Courtesans Representing the Seven Gods of Luck,' is held in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, originally collected by Vincent and Theo van Gogh. Created in the mid-19th century, it reflects the Japonisme trend in Paris, where Japanese art influenced European collectors. The artwork depicts a lower-ranking courtesan in a diagonal composition, illustrating themes from Edo-period pleasure quarters. This piece highlights the cultural exchange between Japan and Europe and its impact on artists like van Gogh, who drew inspiration from ukiyo-e prints for his own work.