Who painted Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Gorobei, the Fish Seller from Sanya?

Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Gorobei, the Fish Seller from Sanya was painted by Tōshūsai Sharaku in 1794.

Where can I see Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Gorobei, the Fish Seller from Sanya?

Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Gorobei, the Fish Seller from Sanya is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Gorobei, the Fish Seller from Sanya?

Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Gorobei, the Fish Seller from Sanya is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Gorobei, the Fish Seller from Sanya

Tōshūsai Sharaku , 1794

Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Gorobei, the Fish Seller from Sanya is a print by the Romanticist artist Tōshūsai Sharaku. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1974.78
Credit line: Gift of Jeptha H. Wade in honor of Emily V. Wade

About this work

The actor's role as a fish merchant who helps courtesans avenge their father's murder is a unique one.

You see a portrait of an actor playing a fish seller. He's dressed in a simple robe, holding a fish. The actor, Matsumoto Koshiro IV, was known for his "gentle style" of acting, which is interesting because it's different from what you'd expect from a revenge play.

The play, "A Medley of Tales of Revenge", was performed at the Kiri Theater in 1794. The actor's role as a fish merchant who helps courtesans avenge their father's murder is a unique one. This painting is one of seven portraits created by the artist for this play.

Check out the work of artist: Tōshūsai Sharaku (Japanese, active 1794–95) for more like this.

Overview

This ukiyo-e print by Tōshūsai Sharaku depicts Matsumoto Koshiro IV in the role of Gorobei, a fish seller, from the 1794 play 'A Medley of Tales of Revenge' at the Kiri Theater. The image showcases the actor in a simple robe, holding a fish.

Subject & Meaning

Gorobei, a fish merchant near Yoshiwara, aids two courtesans in avenging their father’s murder in the play. Despite the violent context, Matsumoto Koshiro IV’s specialization in 'wagoto' (gentle style) acting adds a layer of complexity to the character’s portrayal.

Technique & Style

Sharaku employed a gray mica background, a popular yet soon-to-be-banned technique in 1794, due to governmental edicts restricting luxurious printing methods. This print is one of 28 bust portraits within Sharaku’s approximately 150 designs created during his brief, ten-month career.

History & Provenance

One of seven portraits Sharaku created for 'A Medley of Tales of Revenge', this work was produced during Sharaku’s active period as a print designer in 1794. The play’s performance at the Kiri Theater coincided with the artist’s peak activity.

Context

Created amidst governmental efforts to curb the merchant class’s luxuries through censorship, this print reflects the tension between artistic expression and regulatory constraints of late 18th-century Japan.

Legacy

As part of Sharaku’s distinctive oeuvre, this portrait contributes to the artist’s reputation for capturing the nuances of theatrical personalities, despite his short career. It remains a characteristic example of his work within the ukiyo-e tradition.