Artwork
勝川春章画 三代目吾妻藤蔵|Kabuki Actor Azuma Tōzō III
勝川春章画 三代目吾妻藤蔵|Kabuki Actor Azuma Tōzō III is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunshō. It dates from 1782 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- JP363
- Credit line
- Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1918
About this work
Overview
This woodblock print, created around 1782, depicts Kabuki actor Azuma Tōzō III. It is a nishiki-e print made with ink and color on paper, characteristic of the ukiyo-e genre.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows Azuma Tōzō III wearing a dark robe with red and white patterns, a wide black collar, and a black hat with a bow. The simple background and detailed costume suggest a focus on the actor's character and role.
Technique & Style
The print features flat colors and clean outlines, typical of ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Delicate floral designs on the robe's sleeves and hem demonstrate the artist's attention to detail and precision.
History & Provenance
The print is the work of Katsukawa Shunshō, a Japanese artist active in the 18th century. It is now held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katsukawa Shunshō spent his life in Edo (now Tokyo), where the city’s teahouses and theaters buzzed with energy.
