Kuniyoshi: Preparatory drawing for a fan print (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Title: Preparatory drawing for a fan print
Date: ca 1840s

A Kabuki actor holds a dedication scroll for Narita Tudo Temple in his hands, which says “Dedication, Naritayama”. In the cartouche, a man kneels down and prays in the rays which are emitted from the altar. From his features it would appear that this is the actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII. The text mentions “rewarding his prayer in summer days”.The face, head and shoulder have four areas of pentimenti with corrections. From the group of albums bought at Sotheby’s in 1992.

The largest area of pentimento has completely shifted the head to the right by about a centimeter. The second one corrects the facial features, and the third corrects the hair.

Signature: Unsigned

SKU: DRW371