Rare Aviation Books

[Unknown]

KUNISADA I, Utagawa

Tokyo: [Unknown], Circa 1820. Portrait-format colour woodblock printed on cream-coloured paper and mounted in a blue and cream folder with front window cut out. Size of print is 25.5 cm x 36 cm; size of folder is 34.8 cm x 49.8 cm. Very stripe along left-hand side vertical edge, two very small holes in upper part of print without loss of detail; otherwise a very good print with clear and vivid colour. The image in this expressive Japanese woodblock print two men apprehending another. It likely illustrates a scene from a play, with the figures being actors of the era. This artwork was created by Utagawa Kunisada I (1786-1865).

Kunisada I (also known as Utagawa Toyokuni III) was the most prolific and commercially successful of all woodblock print designers. He created tens of thousands of artworks of a variety of subjects, but kabuki actors were his true speciality. This print is a prime example of his favoured subject with Kunisada I using his skills to great effect: his fine line work and attention to detail create characters with wonderfully expressive faces and movements, drawing the viewer in to the centre of the action. Item #5096

Price (AUD): $650.00