Artwork

東洲斎写楽画尾上松助の松下酒之進『敵討乗合話』|Onoe Matsusuke I as Matsushita Mikinojō in the Play "Katakiuchi noriyaibanashi"

東洲斎写楽画尾上松助の松下酒之進『敵討乗合話』|Onoe Matsusuke I as Matsushita Mikinojō in the Play "Katakiuchi noriyaibanashi" is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Tōshūsai Sharaku. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

If you like this sharp, quick style, look up ukiyo-e, Japanese woodblock prints of everyday life and theater.

A man in a dark kimono glares sideways, his face half-lit, one eyebrow raised. The print is small, about the size of a postcard, but the expression feels huge.

Sharaku made these actor portraits for only ten months in 1794. No one knows why he stopped. The white mica background makes the ink pop like wet paint.

If you like this sharp, quick style, look up ukiyo-e, Japanese woodblock prints of everyday life and theater.

Overview

This woodblock print, created by Tōshūsai Sharaku in 1794, is a portrait of Onoe Matsusuke I as Matsushita Mikinojō in the play 'Katakiuchi noriyaibanashi'. The print is characterized by its bold expression and striking visual elements.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts an actor in a dramatic pose, wearing a dark kimono and displaying a intense facial expression with a raised eyebrow and sideways glare. The image captures a moment from a theatrical performance.

Technique & Style

The use of white mica on the background creates a sense of depth and makes the ink colors appear vibrant. The overall style is typical of ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese woodblock prints known for its bold and dynamic representations of everyday life and theater scenes.

History & Provenance

Sharaku's production of actor portraits was limited to a brief period of ten months in 1794, after which he ceased creating such works for unknown reasons.