KABUKI ACTOR- ICHIKAWA KUENZO I. (Early to mid-19th century). Antique Japanese woodblock prints. This wonderful early-to-mid 19th century Japanese color’u. The colors remain vivid and saturated. The print may have been kept and previously protected in a folio. The image is clear and crisp, superbly rendered and artistically realized. The overall composition of a figure on a wooden balcony, peering over at all below, is compositionally well balanced and seemingly effortlessly accomplished. The deep indigo, cerulean blues, tangerine, melon, olive and charcoal black are wonderfully proportioned, balanced and the piece enjoys saturated, intense color as well as faint washes, illustrating the subtle, master craftsmanship of the artist. The figure stands on a wooden balcony overlooking all below, with two black cranes sweeping across the sky to the left. Abstract paper origami frogs in groups, fantastically float away, as if foreshadowing later Japanese anime art, that was to come afterwards in the 20th century. There are episodes of black or deep charcoal, which populate the image, creating visual interest, excitement, color fluctuation and tonal gradations between darks and lights. Signed by the artist and publisher with black ink stamps in Japanese character calligraphy. Top-shelf, beautiful and simply outstanding. This early/mid-19th century Japanese color woodblock print by the celebrated, famous Japanese woodblock master Utagawa Kunisida (Toyokuni III,) is in very well preserved condition. Utagawa Kunisada / Japanese (1786- 1865) also known as Utagawa Toyokuni III, was the most popular, prolific and financially successful Japanese designer of’ukiyo-e’ woodblock prints of 19th-century Japan. In his own time his reputation far exceeded that of his contemporaries, Hokusai, Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi. This original color woodblock print by Utagawa Kusinada, is from the early-to-mid 19th century, marked with the publisher’s seal, titled & as well with the artist’s signature. Good/Very Good overall vintage condition. The item “UTAGAWA KUNISIDA (JAPAN) 1786-1865 UKIYO-E COLOR WOODBLOCK PRINT OF KABUKI ACTOR” is in sale since Tuesday, March 12, 2019. This item is in the category “Antiques\Asian Antiques\Japan\Prints”. The seller is “modsanctuary” and is located in Milford, New Hampshire. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Type: Antique Ukiyo-e Woodblock Print
- Color inks: Antique mulberry paper (cotton rag paper)
- Region of Origin: Japan
- Featured Refinements: Japanese Woodblock Print
- 100% original, untouched condiiton: Circa 1835-1847
- Age: 1800-1849
- Primary Material: Nishiki-e woodblock print, ink and color on paper,
- Maker: Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Toyukuni III (Toyokuni the Youngest): Printed on period mulberry paper
- Artist’s name stamped in black ink: Publisher’s mark present
- Unframed: 100% original, antique condition
- Handmade: Printed by the artist
- Color: Multi color
