Nakamura Matsue als Otaka
Medium
color woodcut
Dimensions
366; 253
About this artwork
Gift of F.W.M., Baroness Bonger-van der Borch van Verwolde, Amsterdam
Art Historical Context
Behold the vibrant *Nakamura Matsue als Ot* (1824), a color woodcut by Shunbaisai Hok, a master of Japan's Ukiyo-e tradition. This striking print captures the kabuki actor Nakamura Mats I in the role of Otaka, showcasing the dramatic flair of Edo-period theater. Measuring 366 mm high by 253 mm wide, it exemplifies Hokuei's Osaka-school style, known for its compositions and expressive portraits of performers (*yakusha-e*), blending realism with theatrical exaggeration to bring the "floating world" of entertainment to life. Created through the intricate *nishiki-e* technique—multi-block woodcut...
About the Artist
Shunbaisai Hokuei · 1200–2100
Shunbaisai Hokuei (d. 1837), also known as Shunkō III, was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist who became the culminating figure of Osaka kabuki printmaking during the late Edo period. Born in Osaka, Hokuei received his artistic training under Shunkōsai Hokushū, eventually becoming a prominent member of the Osaka school. While his exact birth and death dates remain uncertain, he was generally active from ar...