Artwork
勝川春章画 三代目瀬川菊之丞|Kabuki Actor Segawa Kikunojō III
勝川春章画 三代目瀬川菊之丞|Kabuki Actor Segawa Kikunojō III is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Katsukawa Shunshō. It dates from 1777 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This woodblock print, created around 1777, depicts a kabuki actor.
About this work
Overview
This woodblock print, created around 1777, depicts a kabuki actor. It is a nishiki-e print made with ink and color on paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows Segawa Kikunojō III in a dramatic stage pose, wearing a long, intricately patterned robe with red, green, and gold designs, a wide-brimmed hat, and holding a tall staff.
Technique & Style
The artist, Katsukawa Shunshō, employed sharp lines and flat colors to convey drama. The robe's patterns, rendered in a style that mimics woven fabric, were achieved through painting.
History & Provenance
The print is held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Katsukawa Shunshō spent his life in Edo (now Tokyo), where the city’s teahouses and theaters buzzed with energy.
