Portrait Of Arashi Kichizaburō Iii
Technique: Giclée quality print
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This painting by Utagawa Toyokuni, titled "Portrait of Arashi Kichizaburō III," falls under the genre of ukiyo-e woodblock prints, a popular art form during the Edo period in Japan. The image beautifully captures an actor, presumably in a kabuki role, given the elaborate facial makeup and stylized expression which are hallmarks of kabuki theater.The character is painted with a vivid, intense look, characterized by the sharply drawn lines of his red and white kumadori makeup. Kumadori is a makeup technique used in kabuki, where red lines signify passion, heroism, and other strong emotions. The actor's hair is styled in a traditional manner, swept up boldly, adding to the dramatic effect of the portrait.He is shown wearing a detailed costume with bold patterns and rich colors, featuring floral designs and traditional motifs that indicate his role and status within the play. The circular frame that encases the actor's face suggests a focus on the emotional intensity and the performative aspect of the character he is portraying.Japanese script adorns the background and side of the portrait, likely detailing the name of the actor, the play, or possibly the artist's signature along with other relevant information about the performance or the print itself.
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Utagawa Toyokuni (1769-1825) was a prominent Japanese woodblock printmaker and painter of the Edo period. Born in Edo (now Tokyo), he was the chief disciple of Utagawa Toyoharu, a well-respected printmaker. He specialized in kabuki theater prints, which depicted famous actors in performances and featured dramatic scenes from plays. In addition to kabuki theater prints, Toyokuni also produced portraits of geishas, landscapes, and scenes from everyday life. He eventually became a leading master of the Utagawa School.