Kunisada: Surimono-like Triptych of Three Actors in Snow with Umbrellas (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1864)
Title: Surimono-like Triptych of Actors in Snow
Date: ca. 1825

The actors Ichikawa Danjuro VII, Iwai Kumesaburo II and Matsumoto Koshiro V enjoy an outing along the snowy banks of the Sumida River. They each hold umbrellas; the two male actors hold them jauntily over a shoulder, while the onnagata holds hers straight up, as befits a lady. From an untitled Snow, Moon, Flower (Settsu Gekka) series, this is Snow. This is a very unusual format for a triptych, with surimono-quality printing. The kabuki fans of the day could not get enough images of their favorite actors; much like the paparazzi capturing our famous actors as they go to get coffee, here we see three extremely popular actors in a daily life-type setting. They are fantastically attired, and their visages have been made clearly identifiable by the artist. With blindprinting and other fabulous printing details. The details of every item of clothing have been carefully depicted. Even the towering white wooden geta of the two male actors has been carefully given blindprinting to mimic the painted wood. Scarce.

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. Lightly backed.

Dimensions: koban triptych 18.4 x 37.2 cm
Signature: Toyokuni ga

SKU: KUC039S