Who painted Ichikawa Monnosuke II as a Lord?

Ichikawa Monnosuke II as a Lord was painted by Katsukawa Shunsen in 1784.

Where can I see Ichikawa Monnosuke II as a Lord?

Ichikawa Monnosuke II as a Lord is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Ichikawa Monnosuke II as a Lord?

Ichikawa Monnosuke II as a Lord is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Ichikawa Monnosuke II as a Lord

Katsukawa Shunsen , 1784

Ichikawa Monnosuke II as a Lord is a print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunsen. It dates from 1784 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Ichikawa Monnosuke II as a Lord is a woodblock print executed by the Edo‑period artist Katsukawa Shunkō II around 1784. The image portrays a standing figure in a formal, patterned kimono, rendered in bold black outlines against a light background. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of late‑18th‑century ukiyo‑e portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is identified as the kabuki actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II, depicted in a lordly costume that suggests a samurai or aristocratic role. The solemn expression, the hand placed behind the back, and the stiff, armor‑like drapery convey a dignified, authoritative presence, aligning the actor’s stage persona with the prestige of feudal authority.

Technique & Style

Shunkō II employs the characteristic ukiyo‑e method of carving separate woodblocks for each colour, using sharp, black line work to define intricate patterns of interlocking diamonds and stylised flowers on the robe. The stiff, sharply folded fabric is rendered with precise, angular strokes, while the contrast between the dark outlines and the pale ground enhances the decorative motifs.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑1780s, the print reflects the popularity of actor portraiture during the Genroku era. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection through a 20th‑century acquisition, where it has been catalogued as a representative example of Katsukawa school portraiture and the cultural prominence of kabuki actors in Edo‑period visual culture.