Sharaku (fl.1794 - 1795 )
Sharaku was a pivotal ukiyo-e artist of the 18th century. Very little is known about Sharaku’s life, save that he lived in Edo. During his ten-month career, Sharaku's art prints were of such high caliber that modern critics compare his genius to that of Rembrandt. He produced around 140 known designs between May 1794 and February 1795, mostly kabuki actors, each marked by an air of satire and persistent wit, as well as some sumo prints. Sharaku’s work was radical for its time. His portraits of kabuki actors allow the viewer an exceptionally intimate understanding of the subject’s character. Yet, during his lifetime, his style proved controversial. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that Sharaku's prints were rediscovered and earned him the exceptional reputation he holds today.
Throughout this artistic flowering of the Japanese ukiyo-e tradition, artists explored greater realism and began to consider the inner life of the subject, giving way to psychological portraiture. This “Golden Age” of ukiyo-e is marked by a confidence and maturity, composition and refinement, never before mastered.
Ukiyo-e | Japanese Woodblock Prints | Ronin Gallery
Explore the largest collection of 17th-19th century original Japanese woodblock prints in the United States at Ronin Gallery. Ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” captured the exciting urban popular culture of the Edo period (1603-1868), promoting its beauty, fashions and heroes. While the Buddhist term ukiyo originally emphasized the transitory nature of human life, during the 17th century the term gradually shifted its reference to the ephemeral world of pleasure and indulgence. From 17th century Buddhist woodcuts through 19th century Japanese ukiyo-e print masters, enter a vibrant world of enchanting landscapes and sublime nature studies by Hokusai and Hiroshige, dramatic kabuki actors by Sharaku and Toyokuni, fierce samurai by Kuniyoshi, and elegant beauties by Utamaro. With the ravages of time, war and fire, today few of these precious original Japanese woodblock prints survive outside of museums and important private collections.
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Sharaku
Actor Osagawa Tsuneyo II as Ippei's Older Sister Osan
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Sharaku
Actor Otani Tokuji as the Footman (Yakko) Sodesuke
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