Memorial Portrait of the Actor Onoe Kikugoro IV and His Wife

Art Historical Context

In the vibrant world of 19th-century Japanese uyo-e prints, this *Memorial Portrait of the Actor Onoe Kikoro IV and His Wife stands as a poignant tribute from the Utagawa School created in 1860. Rendered as a color woodblock print in large oban format—measuring about 14 by 10 inches—this artwork captures the kabuki star Onoe Kikugoro, a celebrated performer known for his expressive roles, alongside his wife. Produced shortly after his death, it exemplifies the tradition of yakusha-e, or actor prints, that immortalized theater luminaries during Japan's Edo period (1603–1868). The Utagawa Schoo...