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「中村玉七」（初代）|Memorial Portrait of the Actor Nakamura Tamashichi

Enjaku 猿雀

1860

ink

paper

From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Portrait Actor Portrait

Dominant colour

「中村玉七」（初代）|Memorial Portrait of the Actor Nakamura Tamashichi is a 1860 ink by Enjaku 猿雀, a Impressionism work, depicting Actor, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Enjaku 猿雀
When & what style?: 1860 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Metropolitan Museum of Art

About this work

This print shows a man dressed in a blue robe with white stripes, holding a pink lotus flower. His face is serious, with dark hair tied back and a small black hat. The background is mostly black with Japanese writing on the sides. The lotus flower he holds is bright against his dark robe, drawing your eye. This kind of print was meant to honor actors, not just show their faces. Next, check out the technique: cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with lines.