Artist: Toyokuni III, Kunisada (Japan)
Title: Untitled, circa 1850
Artist Birth Date: 1786-1864
Medium: Woodcut print on paper Subject: Figures and scene
Art Type: Limited Ed. (1 of ?)
Description: Multi-colored woodcut print on paper, 3 panels, depicts Kabuki theatre, Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) was prolific designer of ukiyo-e woodblock prints in 19th-century Japan. Precursor to impressionism. Widely exhibited.
Dimensions Framed: 20 in In. H x 38 in In. W
Notes: EXHIBITED: *11.05.15: San Diego State University, Downtown
Gallery, SDSU “Presence: Selections from the Strauss Family Foundation,” 31 artworks, Nov. 5, 2015 – Jan. 27, 2016, curated by Tina Yapelli, Director SDSU Gallery.
Provenance: Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) was a very successful and prolific designer of ukiyo-e woodblock prints in 19th-century Japan.Print is by Kunisada I, here signing with “Kōchōrō (center)/Ichiyōsai (left and right) Toyokuni ga”. It’s a Genji triptych entitled “The love tree in the garden of the baby cherry tree“ (Chigozakura sono no aiju). Publisher is Tsutaya Kichizo, censors are Hama and Magome, date c. 1850. A triptych by Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) (1786-1865), showing prince Genji on the left and ‘his’ women on the center and right hand panels. C. 1850 (If you google Tale of Genji you will get a full description of the Genji story. It is originally based on the first novel in World Literature written by Murasaki Shikibu in the 11th century.) Prints like this were made in the first half to mid 19th century to take advantage of the Genji Craze, after a serialized ‘updated’ Genji version was published from 1828 onwards. This can best be compared to a Japanese version of Peyton Place. With Genji as the eternal womanizer. From: Dr Anna Beerens, Andon, Editor-in- Chief, (Society for Japanese Arts)