Acteurs in een shibaraku voorstelling

About this artwork

Purchased with the support of the F.G. Waller-Fonds

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan with *Acteurs in een shibarakustelling* (Actors in a Shibaraku), a captivating color woodcut by Tor Kiyonaga, created between 1800 and 1804. This intimate print, measuring just 249 mm high by 385 mm wide, captures the dramatic flair of kabuki theater actors mid-performance. Kiyonaga a master of the Torii school and a leading ukiyo-e artist, renowned for his elegant yakusha-e (actor portraits blending graceful figures with theatrical intensity. Shibaraku, one of kabuki's most iconic scenes, features a heroic figure bursting onto the stage in bold red and blue robes, boldly challenging villains with a resounding shout. Produced during Japan's Edo era (1603–1868), this woodcut reflects ukiyo-e's "floating world" aesthetic—ephemeral pleasures like theater and entertainment that captivated urban audiences. Kiyonaga's late-career work showcases his refined style: lifelike proportions, subtle shading, and dynamic poses that brought kabuki stars to life for everyday viewers. The medium of color woodblock printing, or nishiki-e ("brocade pictures"), was revolutionary, layering vibrant hues through precise carving and multiple blocks. Acquired with support from the F.G. Waller-Fonds, this piece highlights the global allure of Japanese prints, preserving a slice of cultural spectacle for modern admirers.

About the Artist

Torii Kiyonaga · 1752–1815

Torii Kiyonaga, born Sekiguchi Shinsuke in 1752 in Uraga, Sagami Province, was the son of an Edo bookseller who owned tenements near a bustling fish market. At age 14 in 1765, he began his apprenticeship under Torii Kiyomitsu, the third-generation head of the prestigious Torii school of ukiyo-e, renowned for kabuki theater illustrations and signage. Adopted into the Torii family, Kiyonaga succeede...