四代目岩井半四郎|Kabuki Actor Iwai Hanshirō IV
1778
ink
paper
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
1778
ink
paper
From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art
四代目岩井半四郎|Kabuki Actor Iwai Hanshirō IV is a 1778 ink by Katsukawa Shunshō, a Romanticism work, depicting Actor, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This print shows a kabuki actor in a loose, flowing robe. His sleeves are wide, and one arm rests on his hip. The fabric has bold patterns—swirls and leaves in black, red, and gold. His headwear is tall and dark, with a slight curve at the top. The actor’s pose looks natural, almost like he’s mid-motion. The background is simple: a plain floor and a striped wall. This style was meant to highlight the performer’s presence. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists create depth with lines.
Katsukawa Shunshō spent his life in Edo (now Tokyo), where the city’s teahouses and theaters buzzed with energy.
See the richer artist page
