Artwork

三代目沢村宗十郎と遊女|The Kabuki Actor Sawamura Sōjūrō III and Courtesans

三代目沢村宗十郎と遊女|The Kabuki Actor Sawamura Sōjūrō III and Courtesans is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Torii Kiyonaga. It dates from 1784 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodblock print, created around 1784 by Torii Kiyonaga, depicts a serene scene of a kabuki actor and courtesans in a domestic setting. The work is executed in ink and color on paper and is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows four figures in a tranquil atmosphere: a kabuki actor, Sawamura Sōjūrō III, and three courtesans. The actor's simple attire contrasts with the vibrant kimonos of the women, suggesting a nuanced social dynamic.

Technique & Style

Kiyonaga's composition is characterized by bold lines and flat, unshaded colors, creating a sense of clarity and calm. The artist's use of red sliding doors with bird motifs and a small table with tea utensils adds to the scene's serenity.