Who painted Portrait of the Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as a Woman?

Portrait of the Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as a Woman was painted by Utagawa Kunimasa in 1800.

Where can I see Portrait of the Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as a Woman?

Portrait of the Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as a Woman is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait of the Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as a Woman?

Portrait of the Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as a Woman is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of the Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as a Woman?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of the Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as a Woman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of the Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as a Woman

Utagawa Kunimasa , 1800

Portrait of the Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as a Woman is a print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Kunimasa. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1930.200
Credit line: Bequest of Edward L. Whittemore

About this work

Overview

Portrait of the Actor Nakayama Tomisaburo as a Woman is a Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print created by Utagawa Kunimasa around 1800. The work belongs to the yakusha-e genre, which focuses on portraits of kabuki actors in character.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts Nakayama Tomisaburo, a kabuki actor, dressed in female attire, indicating the actor's portrayal of a female role on stage. The calm facial expression, combined with the hat and fan, subtly suggests the blurring of real and performed identity.

Technique & Style

Executed in the traditional ukiyo-e technique, the print features a simple, expressive background with bold brushstrokes, contrasting with the detailed, patterned clothing of the subject. The composition highlights Kunimasa's balance between simplicity and nuanced detail.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1800 by Utagawa Kunimasa, a member of the Utagawa school, the print reflects the artist's specialization in yakusha-e and bijin-ga. Kunimasa's career was influenced by his apprenticeship under Utagawa Toyokuni in Edo.

Context

This work is contextualized within the flourishing kabuki theater and ukiyo-e print culture of late 18th-century Edo. It showcases the societal acceptance of male actors portraying female roles (onnagata) in traditional Japanese theater.