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九代目市村羽左衛門・三代目大谷廣次|Kabuki Actors Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Ko-kakeyama and Ōtani Hiroji III as Kōga Saburō

Katsukawa Shunshō

1771

ink

paper

From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Actor

Dominant colour

九代目市村羽左衛門・三代目大谷廣次|Kabuki Actors Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Ko-kakeyama and Ōtani Hiroji III as Kōga Saburō is a 1771 ink by Katsukawa Shunshō, a Romanticism work, depicting Actor, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Katsukawa Shunshō
When & what style?: 1771 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Metropolitan Museum of Art

About this work

This print shows two kabuki actors in dramatic poses. The man on top stands tall, holding a spear, with a fierce face and dark wig. Below him, another actor kneels, wearing a red-and-green outfit, holding a fan and a rope. Both have bold makeup and exaggerated expressions. Notice the bright colors and bold lines—this style was meant to pop on stage. The actors look like they’re in a play, not just standing still. Check out Katsukawa Shunshō to see how he shaped kabuki theater art.