Kabuki Actor, Mid 19th Century Figurative Japanese Woodblock Print by Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni Iii)

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Beautiful mid 19th century figural Japanese woodblock print of a kabuki actor in blue by Utagawa Toyokuni III (Kunisada) (Japanese, … Read more Beautiful mid 19th century figural Japanese woodblock print of a kabuki actor in blue by Utagawa Toyokuni III (Kunisada) (Japanese, 1786-1864/5). Artist's chop is in the upper left corner of the piece. Presented in a cream mat, with a black and red frame and plexiglas. Image size ~13.5"H x 9.5"W

During his lifetime Kunisada Utagawa was considered to be the best print designer by his contemporaries. He was more popular than Hiroshige, Hokusai or Kuniyoshi. And Kunisada was extremely productive. His total output is estimated at more than 20,000 designs, many made by his students.

Kunisada was born near Edo (today Tokyo) as the son of an affluent merchant with a ferry boat license. At the age of fifteen he joined the famous art school of Utagawa Toyokuni and took the name Kunisada.

In 1807 the young artist produced his first illustrated book. And in 1808 his first actor prints were published. His fame grew fast. While other artists like Kuniyoshi Utagawa or Hiroshige had to fight for recognition for years, he was successful from the beginning.

He should become the most commercially successful of all woodblock printmakers ever. His early success may not have had a good influence on his personality. He had a reputation for his conceited personality.

Kunisada designed a wide spectrum of traditional ukiyo-e subjects like kabuki themes, beautiful women, historical events and quite a few shunga prints. He made few landscapes. See less