Artwork

勝川春好画三代目瀬川菊之丞|Kabuki Actor Segawa Kikunojō III in a Woman’s Role

勝川春好画三代目瀬川菊之丞|Kabuki Actor Segawa Kikunojō III in a Woman’s Role is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunkō. It dates from 1784 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Katsukawa Shunkō's woodblock print, 'Kabuki Actor Segawa Kikunojō III in a Woman’s Role', dates to circa 1784. Executed in ink and color on paper, it is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts Segawa Kikunojō III, a kabuki actor, in a female role (onnagata). The character’s attire, including a long, boldly patterned robe and tall black hat with a tucked fan, reflects traditional kabuki costume design for such roles.

Technique & Style

The work features flat, vibrant colors and clean lines, characteristic of Shunkō's style. Composition focuses on the actor's expressive pose and facial expression, set against a minimalist backdrop of a wooden fence and budding tree branch.

History & Provenance

Created around 1784, the print is now held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Context

This print exemplifies the intersection of kabuki theater and ukiyo-e art. The depiction of an onnagata highlights the traditional kabuki practice of male actors portraying female roles, a cultural nuance captured in Shunkō's work.