Kunisada: Portait of Nakamura Utaemon IV
Move your mouse over image or click to enlarge

Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) (1786-1865)

A portrait of the famous actor Nakamura Utaemon IV (1796-1852) in his last stage performance as the poet Ôtomo no Kuronushi - one of the Rokkasen, the six canonical poets of the 9th century. Shini-e (memorial print), issued in the year of his death.

Title: Ôtomo Kuronushi

Signature: Toyokuni ga, in Toshidama cartouche

Publisher: Kamaya Kihei (Kamaki), Ryôgoku, Edo

Censors: Fuku, Muramatsu

Date: 1852, 2nd (intercalary) month

Size: Vertical Chûban, 25.2 x 18.3 cm

Excellent impression and colours, with lustre printing in the dress. Minimally creased, else excellent condition.
Very rare. From an untitled series of half-size commemorative portraits of Nakamura Utaemon IV (Marks P6060). The Chûban format was not very much used for actor portraits in Edo, quite contrary to Ôsaka.

sold