Artwork
鳥居清満画 初代市川雷藏・二代目坂東彦三郎|Kabuki Actors Ichikawa Raizō I and Bandō Hikosaburō II
鳥居清満画 初代市川雷藏・二代目坂東彦三郎|Kabuki Actors Ichikawa Raizō I and Bandō Hikosaburō II is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Torii Kiyomitsu. It dates from 1767 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1767 woodblock print by Torii Kiyomitsu depicts two prominent Kabuki actors, Ichikawa Raizō I and Bandō Hikosaburō II, in traditional attire, set against a minimalist background. The composition highlights the actors' costumes and facial expressions.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a moment of interaction between two renowned Kabuki performers of the time. Ichikawa Raizō I is shown seated on a palanquin, holding a pole, while Bandō Hikosaburō II leans back, adorned in layered robes and armor. Surrounding props (buckets, baskets) suggest a scene possibly related to a specific play or character portrayal.
Technique & Style
Torii Kiyomitsu employed bold black outlines and a restrained color palette to create visual clarity. The emphasis on the subjects' faces and costumes is further heightened by the largely empty background, drawing the viewer's attention to the actors' demeanors and attire.
History & Provenance
Created in 1767, the print is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Artist & collection
