Utagawa Sadahide (1807–1879) - Mid 19thC Japanese Woodblock Kabuki Play House

Description

A vibrant and bold ukiyo-e woodblock showing three kabuki actors in traditional attire surrounded by banners. Cartouches with kanji narrate the story around them. The artist's signature can be seen in a gourd cartouche a the lower edge with the publishers seal to the right of that. The woodblock has been presented in a simple black lacquer frame with a silver inner window, glazing and a cream card mount. On washi.

Condition

The artwork is in remarkable condition, given its age with only very minor discolouration.

Size

35 x 26.2cm (13.8" x 10.3")
Framed Size: 52.2 x 36.8cm (20.6" x 14.5")

Artist Biography

Utagawa Sadahide (歌川 貞秀, 1807 – c. 1878–1879), also known as Gountei Sadahide (五雲亭 貞秀), was a Japanese artist best known for his prints in the ukiyo-e style as a member of the Utagawa school. His prints covered a wide variety of genres; amongst his best known are his Yokohama-e pictures of foreigners in Yokohama in the 1860s, a period when he was a best-selling artist. He was a member of the Tokugawa shogunate's delegation to the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris.