Portrait of Yokogawa Kanhei Munenori
Original title: Portrait of Yokogawa Kanhei Munenori
kurzbeschreibung
Utagawa Kuniyoshi made this woodblock print in 1852, showing the samurai Yokogawa Kanhei Munenori. It is printed in ink and colour on paper and belongs to ukiyo-e.
Description
A patterned robe and a headband identify the man portrayed. A plant in the foreground partly crosses his face, and behind him stands a tree with green leaves. Strong blue, red and white set the colour scheme. The sitter is placed centrally in the layout, while text cartouches with the artist's and printer's details are set to the side and form part of the sheet.
Context
The print was made in 1852, towards the end of the Edo period. Yokogawa Kanhei Munenori, a samurai, appears here as part of a series of hero portraits. Prints like this paid tribute to historical and legendary figures and were popular with the urban public.
Impact
Clear lines and rich colours give the sheet something lively and mobile. Because the plant hides the face and the arrangement stays balanced, the portrait feels at once still and a little enigmatic.
Technique
Sharp contours and clean lines define the print, which was made in ink and colour on paper. For the different colours, ukiyo-e used several woodblocks in succession, which explains the clear separation of the areas.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)