Artwork

歌川国貞画七代目市川団十郎と初代市川団十郎|Ichikawa Danjūrō VII Admiring Ichikawa Danjūrō I in an Inset Portrait

歌川国貞画七代目市川団十郎と初代市川団十郎|Ichikawa Danjūrō VII Admiring Ichikawa Danjūrō I in an Inset Portrait is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Utagawa Kunisada. It dates from 1819 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

The picture in the background shows a man with a similar hairstyle and clothing, but with a more relaxed expression.

This painting shows a man in a traditional Japanese outfit, holding a sword and wearing a patterned robe. He's standing in front of a framed picture of another man, also in traditional clothing, with a sword and a fan. The background is a light color, and there are some Japanese characters written on the right side.

The man in the foreground is looking at the picture with a serious expression. He's wearing a white robe with a blue and red pattern, and his hair is tied back in a ponytail. The picture in the background shows a man with a similar hairstyle and clothing, but with a more relaxed expression.

The painting is a beautiful example of Japanese art from the early 19th century. You might want to learn more about the artist, Utagawa Kunisada.

Overview

Utagawa Kunisada's 1819 woodblock print depicts a poignant intergenerational moment within the renowned Ichikawa Danjūrō theatrical lineage. Executed in ink, color, and metallic pigment on paper in the shikishiban format, the work is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows Ichikawa Danjūrō VII contemplatively admiring an inset portrait of his illustrious ancestor, Ichikawa Danjūrō I. The composition conveys reverence and continuity between generations of Japan's esteemed kabuki actors.

Technique & Style

Kunisada employs traditional woodblock techniques, combining bold ink outlines with vibrant color and metallic accents. The contrast between the serene background and intricately patterned robes highlights the subject's contemplation.

History & Provenance

Created in 1819, the print is a product of Edo-period Japan's flourishing ukiyo-e culture. It is now housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, testifying to the global appreciation of Japanese woodblock art.

Context

This work reflects the cultural significance of kabuki theatre in 19th-century Japan, as well as the tradition of honoring artistic lineage. The use of a framed inset portrait within the print nods to the period's innovative compositional practices.