Tōshūsai Sharaku
Japanese
Sharaku remains one of the puzzles of Japanese art. Within about ten months in 1794–95 he designed some 140 portraits of kabuki actors for the publisher Tsutaya Jūzaburō, then disappeared from the record. His early bust portraits, set against dark mica grounds, exaggerate features and expressions with startling frankness. His identity is still debated, though many scholars favour a Noh actor named Saitō Jūrōbei.
Written by Ochre Editions.
- In the collection
- 8 worksDated 1794–1899
- Mostly
- Movement
- Ukiyo-eJapanese woodblock prints of the floating world: actors, courtesans, landscapes and the sea.
- Courtesy of
- The Met, The Art Institute of Chicago
The works
