Artwork

二代目中村二代目中村野塩のお軽|The Actor Nakamura Noshio II as the Courtesan Okaru

二代目中村二代目中村野塩のお軽|The Actor Nakamura Noshio II as the Courtesan Okaru is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shun'ei 勝川春英. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 1795 woodblock print, held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts a serene female figure in traditional Japanese attire, identified as the courtesan Okaru, portrayed by the actor Nakamura Noshio II.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Okaru, is shown with eyes closed, conveying a sense of introspection or calm. Her portrayal by a male actor (onnagata) reflects the tradition of male performers in female roles in Japanese theater.

Technique & Style

Executed in nishiki-e, a multi-color woodblock print technique, the work features intricate details: a peach kimono with green and orange floral patterns, a tied obi with a prominent bow, and an elaborately styled updo adorned with chopsticks and a comb.

History & Provenance

Created in 1795 by Katsukawa Shun'ei, the print is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.

Context

While the print's aesthetic might evoke comparisons to various art movements, its roots are firmly in late 18th-century Japanese ukiyo-e, specifically in the portrayal of theatrical figures and beauties.