The Actor Nakamura Sukegoro II in an Unidentified Role
c. 1779
Medium
Color woodblock print; hosoban
Dimensions
32.5 × 15 cm (12 13/16 × in.)
Classification
woodblock print
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
35289
Art Historical Context
In the vibrant world of 18th-century Edo Japan (modern-day Tokyo), Katsukawa Shunsho's *The Actor Nakamura Sukegoro II in an Unidentified Role (c. 1779) captures the theatrical flair of kabuki drama. This color woodblock print, or *ukiyo-e* ("pictures of the floating world"), showcases the acclaimed actor Nakamura Sukegoro II, a star of the kabuki stage known for his dynamic performances. Shunsho, a leading master of the Katsukawa school, specialized in *yakusha-e*—portraits of actors—bringing their expressive poses and elaborate costumes to life with remarkable realism and energy. Printed in...