Who painted 「団七九郎兵衛」|Nakamura Utaemon IV as Danshichi Kurobei?

「団七九郎兵衛」|Nakamura Utaemon IV as Danshichi Kurobei was painted by Utagawa Kunimasu in 1850.

Where can I see 「団七九郎兵衛」|Nakamura Utaemon IV as Danshichi Kurobei?

「団七九郎兵衛」|Nakamura Utaemon IV as Danshichi Kurobei is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 「団七九郎兵衛」|Nakamura Utaemon IV as Danshichi Kurobei?

「団七九郎兵衛」|Nakamura Utaemon IV as Danshichi Kurobei is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

「団七九郎兵衛」|Nakamura Utaemon IV as Danshichi Kurobei

Utagawa Kunimasu , 1850

「団七九郎兵衛」|Nakamura Utaemon IV as Danshichi Kurobei is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Utagawa Kunimasu. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2011.145
Credit line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, in honor of James C. Y. Watt, 2011

About this work

Overview

Utagawa Kunimasu’s 1850 woodblock print depicts the celebrated kabuki performer Nakamura Utaemon IV in the role of Danshichi Kurobei. Executed as a vertical chūban nishiki‑e, the image presents the actor in profile, his hair tied back and a fan poised in his hand, set against a dark field punctuated with subtle floral motifs.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait captures the dramatic intensity associated with the character Danshichi Kurobei, a figure known for his stern demeanor. By emphasizing the actor’s severe expression and the stark contrast of his striped kimono, the print conveys the theatrical gravitas and emotional resolve that the role demanded onstage.

Technique & Style

Kunimasu employed the multicolored nishiki‑e method, applying bold outlines and flat, saturated pigments that give the composition a poster‑like clarity. The use of strong linear contours defines the facial features, while the limited palette of blues, whites, and blacks reinforces the dramatic focus on the figure against a relatively subdued background.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑Edo period, the print entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently conserved. Its provenance reflects the broader circulation of actor portraits that served both as promotional material for kabuki performances and as popular collectibles among urban audiences of the time.