Portrait of Ushioda Masanojo Takano
Original title: Portrait of Ushioda Masanojo Takano
kurzbeschreibung
Utagawa Kuniyoshi made this portrait of Ushioda Masanojo Takano in 1852, printing it as a woodblock in ink and colour on paper. A man in traditional Japanese dress stands holding a brush; behind him mountains appear only faintly.
Description
Striking blue eyes and a conspicuous headband define the sitter's face. A pattern of dark and light bands runs across his garment. He grips the brush with its tip pointing upward, and his gaze is grave and resolute. Japanese characters are scattered along the top edge and between parts of the figure, while mountains are suggested in the rear.
Context
Kuniyoshi ranks among the major Japanese woodblock artists of the nineteenth century, best known for his pictures of warriors and historical figures. In 1852, the year this sheet was made, woodblock prints were a common medium in Japan for honouring heroes and celebrated personalities. Exactly who Ushioda Masanojo Takano was has not been fully settled; a historical figure or an actor are both conceivable.
Impact
Strong colours and the hard contrast of light and dark tones give the portrait immediate weight. The carefully controlled line and the serious expression lend the figure dignity and resolve. Viewers of the sheet sense a quiet, collected presence.
Technique
Ink and colour on paper were used for this sheet in the woodblock method. Colour woodblock printing made it possible to combine delicate lines with rich areas of colour, yielding a detailed and lively view.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)