The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke I
c. 1719
Medium
Hand-colored woodblock print; hosoban, beni-e
Dimensions
29.2 × 14.2 cm (11 1/2 × 5 9/16 in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
36226
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan with *The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke I*, a captivating hand-colored woodblock print by Okumura Toshinobu, created around 1719. This hosoban—a narrow format measuring just 29.2 × 14.2 cm—portrays the famed kabuki actor in dynamic pose, capturing the theatrical flair that enthralled audiences in early 18th-century Tokyo. Toshinobu, an innovative ukiyo-e pioneer, specialized in yakusha-e (actor prints), blending sharp lines and expressive features to immortalize stage stars like Monnosuke I. The print's beni-e technique marks a thrilling evolution in...
About the Artist
Okumura Toshinobu · 1690–1770
active ca. 1717–1750