Open full image Pin

勝川春章画　二代目小佐川常世・五代目市川団十郎|Kabuki Actors Osagawa Tsuneyo II and Ichikawa Danjūrō V

Katsukawa Shunshō

1784

ink

paper

From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Actor

Dominant colour

勝川春章画　二代目小佐川常世・五代目市川団十郎|Kabuki Actors Osagawa Tsuneyo II and Ichikawa Danjūrō V is a 1784 ink by Katsukawa Shunshō, a Romanticism work, depicting Actor, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Katsukawa Shunshō
When & what style?: 1784 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Metropolitan Museum of Art

About this work

This print shows two kabuki actors in bright, patterned robes. One holds a fan and bow, the other a sword. Their faces are painted in bold black-and-white styles, and the background has simple bamboo and a wooden lattice. The colors are mostly reds, greens, and golds, with sharp black outlines. Notice how the actor on the left wears a loose, flowing robe while the one on the right has a more fitted, dramatic pose. The artist used clean lines and flat colors to make them stand out. Next, look up kabuki actors to see how these performers shaped theater.