Artwork
初代中村松江|Kabuki Actor Nakamura Matsue
初代中村松江|Kabuki Actor Nakamura Matsue is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunshō. It dates from 1772 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This woodblock print, created around 1772 by Katsukawa Shunshō, depicts a kabuki actor. It is a nishiki-e print made with ink and color on paper, and is held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a woman, likely a kabuki actor, in a long robe with bold patterns, holding a fan and wearing an ornate hairpiece. A small basket is nearby, set against a simple ground.
Technique & Style
The artist used fine lines to create shadows and texture, particularly on the robe and hair, adding depth to the image. Soft colors, including browns, greens, and creams, are used with sharp black outlines to define the figure.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katsukawa Shunshō spent his life in Edo (now Tokyo), where the city’s teahouses and theaters buzzed with energy.
