Acteur Ichikawa Yaozo II met getrokken zwaard

About this artwork

Aankoop met steun van de Vereniging Rembrandt en het Ministerie van Onderwijs, Kunsten en Wetenschappen

Art Historical Context

This striking color woodcut, titled *Acteur Ichikawa Yao II met getrokken zwaard* (Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II Drawn Sword), captures the dramatic intensity of Kabuki theater legend Ichikawa Yaozo II. by the renowned ukiyo-e master Ippitsusaiô between 1768 and 1772, it exemplifies the yakusha-e genre—portraits of actors in iconic poses. Bunchô, active during Japan's Edo period (1603–1868), was celebrated for his bold lines and expressive figures, blending realism with theatrical flair. In the "floating world" of ukiyo-e, woodblock prints like this one democratized art, making celebrity culture ac...