Open full image Pin

三代目沢村宗十郎と遊女|The Kabuki Actor Sawamura Sōjūrō III and Courtesans

Torii Kiyonaga

1784

ink

paper

From the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Actor

Dominant colour

三代目沢村宗十郎と遊女|The Kabuki Actor Sawamura Sōjūrō III and Courtesans is a 1784 ink by Torii Kiyonaga, a Romanticism work, depicting Actor, held at Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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

About this work

This print shows four people in a room. Two women in colorful kimonos sit on the floor, one holding a fan. A man in black kneels near them, holding a small cup. Another woman stands behind them, adjusting her sleeve. The walls have red sliding doors with birds painted on them, and a small table holds a teapot and cups. The man is a kabuki actor, dressed simply but with a calm focus. The women look relaxed, as if they’re sharing a quiet moment. The artist used bold lines and flat colors to keep it clean and clear. Next, look up actor, screen to see how theater and art mixed in Japan.