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五代目市川団十郎|Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō V in a Shibaraku (Stop Right There!) Role

Katsukawa Shunshō

ink

paper

From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art

Romanticism Classical Antiquity Actor

Dominant colour

五代目市川団十郎|Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō V in a Shibaraku (Stop Right There!) Role is a 11 ink by Katsukawa Shunshō, a Romanticism work, depicting Actor, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Katsukawa Shunshō
When & what style?: 11 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Metropolitan Museum of Art

About this work

This print shows a man in a kabuki costume, frozen mid-motion. He’s holding two swords, one in each hand, with his arms crossed over his chest. His face is painted with bold red and white lines, and his hair is styled in a tall, dramatic wig. The robe is dark red with swirling gold patterns, and the floor is a plain, light color. Notice how the artist uses sharp lines and flat colors to make the figure stand out. This style was meant for quick recognition in theater posters. Check out Katsukawa Shunshō to see more prints like this one.