Group portrait of leading actors in their star roles in a theater box, ca. 1850
ArtistYoshitoyo,
worked from 1854 until 1857, died 1866
MediumColour woodcut
Sheet dimensions25,3 × 54,4 cm
About the workYoshitoyo’s group portrait of famous actors from Osaka depicts them in their leading roles as an advertisement for the 1850 theatre season. On the left is Ichikawa Ebizo V, who moved to Edo (Tokyo) that year and came from an eminent Ichikawa acting dynasty that is still active today. On the far right is an “onnagata”: since 1629, female roles in Japan had been played by these specially trained male actors. They imitated princesses and courtesans with sophisticated gestures and also wore women’s clothing in public.
AccessionGift of Dr. Hans Lühdorf 1964
Provenance[...]; 1964 erworben durch Schenkung von Dr. Hans Lühdorf (Düsseldorf 1910 - 1983 Düsseldorf), Düsseldorf
Inventory numberJ 1966-90 (415)
