Old style and new style exemplified in actor portraits and in scripts, set against a background imitating gold-flecked writing paper. Colour woodcut by Kunisada I, 1852.

  • Utagawa, Kunisada, 1786-1864.
Date:
1852
Reference:
35945i
  • Pictures

About this work

Description

In this delicate print, the portraits are placed on trompe l'oeil writing papers of different eras. They are by Kunisada I (1786-1865), on the right in his own 'modern' style and on the left copying or parodying Kiyomitsu I (1735-1785)'s style which was current to c.1700. It thus celebrates the long tradition of Ukiyoe actor portraiture

Half-length figures

Publication/Creation

Edo [Tokyo] : [publisher not identified], 1852.

Physical description

1 print : woodcut, printed in colours

Lettering

Ichiyōsai Toyokuni-ga ; Torii Kitomitsu-ga Bears publisher's mark, block cutter's mark, censor's seal, actor's role and set title Set title in cursive script; the style of script varies from print to print in the set The signature is in vertical blue panels

Notes

Ancient and modern coloured writing papers compared

Reference

Wellcome Collection 35945i

Languages

Subjects

Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores

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