Portrait of Muramatsu Sandayu Takanao
Original title: Portrait of Muramatsu Sandayu Takanao
kurzbeschreibung
A pipe at his lips, Muramatsu Sandayu Takanao appears in traditional dress in this 1852 color woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. The image presents a warrior caught in a quiet moment and belongs to the artist's series of samurai portraits.
Description
Wearing a headband, the figure holds a staff in his right hand while his left raises the pipe to his mouth. His grave, composed expression lends the portrait dignity. Branches with red berries stand out behind him, adding a natural note against the dark ground. Blue, red and grey dominate the palette, with gold and brown as accents. The arrangement feels balanced: the figure in front, nature behind.
Context
Utagawa Kuniyoshi ranks among the outstanding masters of nineteenth-century ukiyo-e. Made in 1852, the sheet falls in a period when the artist was known for portrayals of heroes and historical figures. Muramatsu Sandayu Takanao is a historical person who appears in various tales, and this portrait takes its place within Kuniyoshi's series of warrior likenesses. Nothing is recorded about who commissioned the print or how it was used.
Impact
The sitter's serious face and calm bearing convey dignity and concentration. Because the surroundings stay dark while the red berries glow, attention shifts to his face and the gesture of smoking, creating an intimate mood.
Technique
Ink and color were printed on paper for this woodblock. The ukiyo-e process allowed fine lines and strong areas of color, with blue, red and grey prevailing here. Gold and brown tones point to elaborate coloring of the kind common for high-quality prints of the period.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)