Raimund von Stillfried-Rathenitz; portrait of a young geisha; albumin paper; black and white positive process; hand-colored; image size: height: 24.00 cm; width: 19.40 cm; inscribed; in wei?einkopiert: 302; travel photography; portrait photography; young woman; girl; geisha literally means person of the arts. Geishas are educated women who have been entertaining their mostly male society with dance; music and song as guests in tea houses since the 17th century. They are also engaged as waitresses at festivities. Visually; the geisha differs from the courtesan in details of her clothing; although in the photographic staging; little value was placed on the historically correct wardrobe. In the fantasy of the 19th century traveler; the artistry of the geisha is mixed with ideas of sexual availability. (Aya Fujita)