Courtesan Collection

Japan - Geisha - See no evil, Hear no evil, speak no evil
Japan - Three Geisha girls - miming the phrase See no evil, Hear no evil, speak no evil. Date: circa 1904

Paris, France - Champs-Elysees, The Paiva Mansion. Date: 1902

REYNOLDS: CLEOPATRA. Kitty Fisher as Cleopatra dissolving the Pearl. Oil on canvas, 1759, by Sir Joshua Reynolds

Japanese Geisha - Traditional flower arranging. Date: circa 1904

Japan - Geisha Girl bows to a samurai warrior - New Year Ceremony Date: circa 1910s

Massenet / Thais / First
Sybil Sanderson and Charles Delmas in the first production of this opera which tells of an Egyptian courtesan who converts to religion and dies as a desert hermit

Portrait of a maiko (apprentice geisha) wearing traditional Japanese kimono, in the Gion district, Kyoto, Kansai region, island of Honshu, Japan, Asia

John, Duke of Berrys household exchanging New Year gifts. The Duke is seated at the right, in blue. Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. 15th century. Miniature. Chateau de Chantilly. France

Profile portrait of a smiling Japanese Geisha girl. Date: circa 1906

Street Walkers, 1786. Artist: Benjamin Smith
Street Walkers, 1786. A fashionably dressed man walking from Old Bond Street into Piccadilly encountering a courtesan

Japanese Geisha playing a Traditional Shamisen
Japanese Geisha in her home playing a Traditional Shamisen Date: circa 1904

Japanese Geisha Girl dressed in her Kimono
O-Hana-san dresses to pay a visit - a Japanese Geisha Girl is aided by a male servant to dress in her Kimono. Date: circa 1906

Garden Scene, Japan - Geisha - Posed on a small stone bridge Date: circa 1905

Detail of The Entry of Louis XIV (1638-1715) and Maria Theresa (1638-83) into Arras, 30th July 1667, c
XIR205466 Detail of The Entry of Louis XIV (1638-1715) and Maria Theresa (1638-83) into Arras, 30th July 1667, c.1685 (oil on canvas) by Meulen

A courtesan at the time of the 2nd Empire playing billiards (colour engraving)
1757254 A courtesan at the time of the 2nd Empire playing billiards (colour engraving) by Morlon, Antony Paul Emile (fl.1868-1905) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Fortune Teller, c. 1635 (oil on canvas)
3432875 The Fortune Teller, c.1635 (oil on canvas) by Tour, Georges de la (1593-1652); 102x123.5 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA; French, out of copyright

Death and the Courtesan (Signed by the Wood-Engraver), 1903. Artist: Sebald Beham
Death and the Courtesan (Signed by the Wood-Engraver), 1903. From The Burlington Magazine for Connoisseurs, Volume 1 - March to May 1903. [The Burlington Magazine, Limited, London, 1903]

Courtesans Takikawa Hanaogi Ogiya house Mirror
Courtesans Takikawa and Hanaogi from the Ogiya house Mirror of manuscripts of the new beautiful courtesans from the Yoshiwara (series title) Yoshiwara keisei shin bijin jihitsu kagami

Portrait of Mery Laurent (1849-1900) 1888-1889 (b / w photo)
CHT224203 Portrait of Mery Laurent (1849-1900) 1888-1889 (b/w photo) by Disderi, Andre Adolphe Eugene (1819-89/90); Bibliotheque Litteraire Jacques Doucet, Paris, France; eArchives Charmet; French

Couple of lovers in the forest. Chromolithography late 19th century
JAB5037125 Couple of lovers in the forest. Chromolithography late 19th century.; (add.info.: Couple of lovers in the forest. Chromolithography late 19th century.); Photo ©Jaime Abecasis.

Lady of Honour to Marie Antoinette, 1777. Handcoloured steel engraving by Polidor Pauquet after Moreau the younger
FLO4974721 Lady of Honour to Marie Antoinette, 1777. Handcoloured steel engraving by Polidor Pauquet after Moreau the younger from the Pauquet Brothers' " Modes et Costumes Historique"

The young Louise de la Valliere (1644-1710), mistress of King Louis XIV, and Henriette of England (1644-1670)
ELD4900196 The young Louise de la Valliere (1644-1710), mistress of King Louis XIV, and Henriette of England (1644-1670) circa 1661

Barbara Palmer (1640-1709), Duchess of Cleveland, mistress of Charles II (1630-1685)
FLO4672337 Barbara Palmer (1640-1709), Duchess of Cleveland, mistress of Charles II (1630-1685), in a blue dress with lace and a red cape. By Peter Lely (1618-1680)

Lady of the Court of Elizabeth I (1533-1603) during the Queen's Procession at Hunsdon House (London, England)
FLO4672234 Lady of the Court of Elizabeth I (1533-1603) during the Queen's Procession at Hunsdon House (London, England), wearing a high lace collar, a tight corset, and a wide skirt

Costume of a lady of rank, reign of William and Mary, 1696. Handcoloured lithograph from Thomas Hailes Lacy's
FLO4655413 Costume of a lady of rank, reign of William and Mary, 1696. Handcoloured lithograph from Thomas Hailes Lacy's " Female Costumes Historical

Roman Courtesan in the 17th century (Renaissance): Italian costume in the 16th century (Vecellio). 1895
JAB4119784 Roman Courtesan in the 17th century (Renaissance): Italian costume in the 16th century (Vecellio). 1895; (add.info.: Roman Courtesan in the 17th century (Renaissance)

Francoise de Foix (ca. 1495-1537), countess of Chateaubriant, mistress of King Francis I of France
FLO4678123 Francoise de Foix (ca. 1495-1537), countess of Chateaubriant, mistress of King Francis I of France. After a drawing by Janet and a miniature oil painting

The queen. The Queen has just come out of her palace, when death appears unexpectedly
FLO4675617 The queen. The Queen has just come out of her palace, when death appears unexpectedly and the drains of force to keep her away

Woman of the court of King Henri III of France, 16th century. She wears lace ruff collar and cuffs, brocade dress
FLO4565365 Woman of the court of King Henri III of France, 16th century. She wears lace ruff collar and cuffs, brocade dress, satin skirt, and fan of swan feathers

Woman of the court of King Louis XVI of France, 18th century. She wears a taffeta riding coat, muslin fichu
FLO4565222 Woman of the court of King Louis XVI of France, 18th century. She wears a taffeta riding coat, muslin fichu, satin petticoats, decorated with ribbons and bows

Courtesans relaxing by writing poetry in the pleasure quarters. Woodblock print by Moronobu Hishikawa (1618-1694)
FLO4630998 Courtesans relaxing by writing poetry in the pleasure quarters. Woodblock print by Moronobu Hishikawa (1618-1694) from Fuzoku Emakimono, Picture Scroll of the Water Trade, Tokyo

Three oiran courtesans in kimono following a customer in the pleasure quarters
FLO4630955 Three oiran courtesans in kimono following a customer in the pleasure quarters. Woodblock print by Moronobu Hishikawa (1618-1694) from Fuzoku Emakimono, Picture Scroll of the Water Trade

Regency fops and courtesans waltzing in the Argyll Rooms, Regent Street. Among the courtesans are Nelly Mansell
FLO4619073 Regency fops and courtesans waltzing in the Argyll Rooms, Regent Street. Among the courtesans are Nelly Mansell, Emma Richardson, Ellen Hanbury, Dolly Drinkwater and Fanny Myers

The coming of age of a kamuro (kaburo genpuku no tei). Maids help a girl kamuro as she becomes a courtesan
FLO4630754 The coming of age of a kamuro (kaburo genpuku no tei). Maids help a girl kamuro as she becomes a courtesan: sewing kimono, dressing her hair and fixing her obi

Courtesans playing shamisen to entertain a customer drinking sake in the pleasure quarters. Kamuro maids serve sake
FLO4630703 Courtesans playing shamisen to entertain a customer drinking sake in the pleasure quarters. Kamuro maids serve sake

Ninon de Lenclos or Anne " Ninon" de l'Enclos, 1616-1705, French author
FLO4572067 Ninon de Lenclos or Anne " Ninon" de l'Enclos, 1616-1705, French author, courtesan and patron of the young Moliere and Voltaire

Madame de Pompadour, lady of rank, 1760 (Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour, 1722-1764)
FLO4656400 Madame de Pompadour, lady of rank, 1760 (Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour, 1722-1764). Handcoloured lithograph from Thomas Hailes Lacy's " Female Costumes

L'Indiscret, Satirique en N & B, 1903_1_14: Drumont Edouard (1844-1917) a la belle Otero (Caroline Otero)
ICA4840542 L'Indiscret, Satirique en N & B, 1903_1_14: Drumont Edouard (1844-1917) a la belle Otero (Caroline Otero, 1868-1965); (add.info.: L'Indiscret, Satirique en N & B)

Portrait of Anne Marie de La Tremoille, Princess des Ursins (1642-1722) (Portrait of the French broker)
ELD4959426 Portrait of Anne Marie de La Tremoille, Princess des Ursins (1642-1722) (Portrait of the French broker and royal favourite known for her political influence Marie Anne de La Tremoille)

Portrait of Louis-Francis-Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, Duke of Richelieu (1696-1788) old libertine
ELD4900328 Portrait of Louis-Francis-Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, Duke of Richelieu (1696-1788) old libertine, at the little rise of Jeanne Becu, Madame du Barry (1743-1793)

Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764) was chief mistress to King Louis XV
FLO4686116 Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764) was chief mistress to King Louis XV. Handcoloured steel engraving by Polidor Pauquet after Maurice Quentin de La Tour (1748-55)

Lady of quality, in neglige, reign of Louis XIV, 1696. Handcoloured steel engraving by Polidor Pauquet after
FLO4686035 Lady of quality, in neglige, reign of Louis XIV, 1696. Handcoloured steel engraving by Polidor Pauquet after Jean-Baptiste Bonnart (1654-1726)

Marion de Lorme (Delorme) (Marie de Lon, Lady of Lorme) (1613-1650) French courtesan. After a miniature on vellum
FLO4678159 Marion de Lorme (Delorme) (Marie de Lon, Lady of Lorme) (1613-1650) French courtesan. After a miniature on vellum

Courtesans painting a large sumi-e (ink-wash painting). A samurai customer watches, and a kamuro maid prepares the ink
FLO4630994 Courtesans painting a large sumi-e (ink-wash painting). A samurai customer watches, and a kamuro maid prepares the ink

Oiran courtesan fixing her hair while a samurai watches in front of a water barrel in the pleasure quarters
FLO4630972 Oiran courtesan fixing her hair while a samurai watches in front of a water barrel in the pleasure quarters. Woodblock print by Masanobu Okumura (1686-1764) from Fuzoku Emakimono

Courtesans and a street entertainer with performing monkey in front of a barred shopfront in the pleasure quarters
FLO4630900 Courtesans and a street entertainer with performing monkey in front of a barred shopfront in the pleasure quarters

Samurai customer with kamuro walking past two shamisen players in the pleasure quarters
FLO4630869 Samurai customer with kamuro walking past two shamisen players in the pleasure quarters. Woodblock print by Moronobu Hishikawa (1618-1694) from Fuzoku Emakimono

Courtesans relaxing by reading books in front of a large folding screen. Woodblock print by Moronobu Hishikawa
FLO4630934 Courtesans relaxing by reading books in front of a large folding screen. Woodblock print by Moronobu Hishikawa (1618-1694) from Fuzoku Emakimono, Picture Scroll of the Water Trade, Tokyo

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"Unveiling the Enigmatic World of Courtesans: From Geishas to Parisian Beauties" Step into a captivating journey through time and culture as we explore the intriguing realm of courtesans. In Japan, the ethereal allure of geishas mesmerizes all who encounter them. With their graceful presence and traditional art forms like flower arranging, they embody elegance and mystique. Witness their unwavering commitment to honor with a bow to a samurai warrior during New Year celebrations. Meanwhile, in the heart of Paris on Champs-Elysees, lies The Paiva Mansion - an opulent sanctuary where courtesan Cora Pearl once reigned supreme. Her name echoes through history alongside other renowned figures like Agnes Willoughby and Catherine Walters, each leaving an indelible mark on society. Artists have immortalized these enchanting women throughout centuries; Reynolds' masterpiece "Cleopatra" portrays Kitty Fisher dissolving a pearl in her drink, symbolizing decadence and power. Massenet's opera "Thais" delves into the complex world of courtesans for the first time on stage. Yet not all stories are painted with such grandeur; some reveal glimpses of everyday life. A detail from "The Entry of Louis XIV and Maria Theresa into Arras" captures a moment when even royalty indulged in pleasures offered by these enigmatic women. A color engraving showcases a courtesan at play billiards during France's Second Empire - reminding us that they were not confined solely to lavish settings but also embraced ordinary pastimes. As we delve deeper into this multifaceted world, it becomes clear that being a courtesan was more than just selling one's body; it was about mastering seduction while maintaining an air of mystery. They embodied the age-old adage: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil - guarding secrets that could make or break reputations.