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Rare Utagawa Kunimaru "Golden Age" Ukiyo-e Print of Kabuki Actors, Japan, c.1820

$1,340
£1,022.14
€1,164.52
CA$1,883.38
A$2,054.72
CHF 1,087.96
MX$24,621.40
NOK 13,855.80
SEK 12,670.10
DKK 8,695.31

About the Item

A rare and powerful authentic woodblock print (nishiki-e) by the "Golden Age" master Utagawa Kunimaru (1793-1829). Dating from the 1820s, this piece is a superb example of yakusha-e (actor portraiture) from the famed Utagawa school, the dominant art movement of 19th-century Japan. The print captures a moment of dramatic tension between two formidable figures, identified in the cartouches as Kudayū Araryū and Wadahara. The figure on the right, clad in a rich, deep black robe and wearing the two swords of a samurai, is a portrait of stern authority. His companion, depicted in a striking kimono of vibrant blue stripes, leans in with a more genial, expressive face. The composition, a hallmark of the Utagawa school, moves beyond simple portraiture to tell a story, capturing the personalities and relationships of its subjects. This is the work of a master craftsman at the height of his powers. Utagawa Kunimaru was a direct and favoured pupil of the great Utagawa Toyokuni I, placing him in the same artistic generation as the legendary Kunisada and Kuniyoshi. Due to his tragically short life, Kunimaru's works are considerably rarer than those of his more prolific contemporaries, making this piece a unique find for the discerning collector. Authenticity and Date: This print's authenticity is confirmed by the artist's signature ("Kunimaru ga") in the lower-left corner. Most importantly, it bears the single, circular kiwame (極) censor's seal. This kiwame seal was used only during the "Golden Age" of Ukiyo-e (prior to the 1842 Tenpō Reforms), definitively dating this print to the 1820s and verifying it as a genuine Edo-period work. Condition and Presentation: The print is in excellent antique condition, with remarkably vibrant colours, including the deep sumi black and the brilliant Prussian blue. It is presented in a professional, gallery-ready, archival-quality mat and a sleek, contemporary black frame. This piece is ready to hang and will serve as a powerful, authentic, and sophisticated centrepiece for any interior. As seen in the photographs, this authentic print has been professionally conserved and housed in a museum-quality, archival matte black frame with a wide, neutral acid-free mat, and AR70 antiglare and UV-resistant glass fitted. Creator: Utagawa Kunimaru (1793-1829) Of the Period: Edo Place of Origin: Japan Date of Manufacture: circa 1820s Materials and Techniques: Woodblock Print, Ink on Paper (Washi) Condition: Excellent. Excellent antique condition. Colours are vibrant and lines are crisp. Professionally framed with archival matting. Style: Ukiyo-e / Japanese
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 20.87 in (53 cm)Width: 0.79 in (2 cm)Depth: 16.93 in (43 cm)
  • Style:
    Edo (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Glass,Paper,Wood,Hand-Crafted
  • Place of Origin:
    Japan
  • Period:
    1820-1829
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1820
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    TORQUAY, AU
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU10657247444592

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