Painting study · Ink painting
Courtesan Reading a Letterearly 1800s · Study 1985.261
Teisai Hokuba (Japanese, 1771–1844); Ōta Nanpo (Japanese, 1749–1823)
early 1800s
Recorded as two-panel folding screen; ink and color on paper, this horizontal work measures 165.4 × 156.8 cm using the museum’s image dimensions. Explore the museum’s context and compare the format with a wall of your choice.
Museum collection reference. This work is not offered for sale by Physical Art For Crypto. Museum attribution does not imply a partnership or endorsement.
Context from the museum
Ukiyo-e artists and collaborating poets introduced imagery from classical literature to add layers of meaning to their work. Here, a courtesan pores over a letter from an admirer, and the poem next to her reads as follows: "Having been asked to stay over, / I stayed on—and for a good reason. / It’s way past midnight / and the lady is that (legendary implorer) Amagoi Komachi." Midnight was closing time in Yoshiwara, the licensed brothel district of Edo (now Tokyo). Amagoi, or “Praying for Rain,” Komachi refers to ninth-century poet Ono no Komachi—known for her compelling verse and great beauty—and one of her famous compositions.
Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.
Read the dimensions before the image
The selected image measurement for Courtesan Reading a Letter is 165.4 cm wide and 156.8 cm high, equivalent to approximately 65.1 × 61.7 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 1.05:1. The rectangular bounding area is 2.59 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.
On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 55.1% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 67.3 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.
Questions to bring to your own collection
With Courtesan Reading a Letter in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, two-panel folding screen; ink and color on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.
- Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
- Would a 165.4 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
- What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?
Explore physical scale
How large would this format feel on your wall?
Use this museum work’s recorded format as a reference. Adjust a blank wall and optional frame allowance to compare proportions. The museum painting is an educational reference and is not for sale here.
Calculation: outside width = recorded width + twice your frame allowance. This is a proportion study, not an installation assessment. It excludes furniture, hardware, load capacity, depth and delivery clearance. The display image may include margins absent from the recorded measurement.
Compare formats with the studio collection
These Lei-Kol works have the closest width-to-height ratios in the current catalog. This is a geometry comparison, not a claim of artistic similarity, equivalent value, or association with the museum artist.
| Painting | Width × height | Format ratio | USD catalog price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Denim | 48 × 48 in | 1.00:1 | $1,699 |
| Mushrooms | 48 × 48 in | 1.00:1 | $2,399 |
| Stardust | 48 × 48 in | 1.00:1 | $2,199 |
Availability and delivery costs must be confirmed for the individual order.
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