KAIGETSUDO ANDO

also called Okazaki Genshichi born 1671, Japan died 1743 early Japanese painter of Ukiyo-e, or scenes of the transient world of daily life. He founded the Kaigetsudo school, comprising several artists with more or less identical styles. He was known for his paintings of standing courtesans, executed in bold and steady brushstrokes with a skillful but restrained use of colour. Since other artists drew strikingly similar pictures of courtesans, some speculate that Ando operated a workshop in which his pupils produced paintings under his direction. No prints by him are known. Little is known of Ando's life except that he was banished in 1714 to the island of Oshima. It is also uncertain if his given name should be read Ando or Yasunobu. Among his best-known paintings are Courtesan and a Young Girl in Attendance, Standing Beauty, and Beauty in the Breeze.