The artwork, titled “Masturbation and voyeurism,” was created by Katsushika Hokusai in 1824. This piece belongs to the Ukiyo-e art movement and falls under the genre of nude painting (nu). Currently, it is housed in the Brooklyn Museum, located in New York City, New York, US.
The artwork illustrates an intimate scene featuring two individuals engaged in private acts, separated by a partition. The left side of the artwork depicts a woman reclining on her side, partially draped in a green kimono adorned with floral patterns. Her nude form is visible beneath the garment. On the right side, another woman is seen peeking through the partition in a voyeuristic manner, with her full attention directed towards the scene on the left. She is clothed in a robe with a red design and is positioned on all fours, seemingly hidden. The background of the artwork is filled with Japanese text, adding an element of storytelling or contextual explanation to the scene. The use of delicate lines, detailed patterns, and the composition of the figures highlights Hokusai’s mastery in the Ukiyo-e style.
