初代中村松江|Kabuki Actor Nakamura Matsue

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of-period Japan with Katsukawa Shunshō'sKabuki Actor Nakamura Matsue* (ca. 1772), a stunning nishiki-e woodblock print the Metropolitan Museum of Art Shunshō, a master the ukiyo-e—literally "pictures of the floating world"—ized in yakusha-e, or actor portraits, capturing the charisma of kabuki stars. This intimate half-length depiction of Nakamura Matsue I a celebrated onnagata (specialist in female roles), showcases her poised elegance, likely in a theatrical pose that would have thrilled 18th-century audiences. The medium is a triumph of innovation: nishiki-e, or "brocade prints," employed multiple woodblocks for layered inks and pigments, yielding the rich, jewel-toned colors unseen before the 1760s. Measuring just 12¾ x 5⅞ inches, this print's narrow format hints at its use on fans (ōgi-e), portable treasures for fans of kabuki to carry theater glamour into daily life. During the Edo period (1615–1868), such prints democratized celebrity culture, fueling a booming market for affordable art amid Japan's urban boom. Acquired through the Joseph Pulitzer Bequest in 1918, this piece exemplifies Shunshō's influence on the Katsukawa school and the golden age of actor imagery, blending technical prowess with cultural reverence for performance. A window into Japan's playful, theatrical soul!

About the Artist

Katsukawa Shunshō　勝川春章 (Japanese) · 1726 –1792

Japanese, 1726–1792