The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV

Object Details

• Artist

  Toshusai Sharaku

• Label

  Sharaku's dramatic portraits of actors, which often focus on the head and torso, are among the most famous images in the history of Japanese prints. This print portrays the actor Iwai Hanshiro IV, a leading actor of women's roles (onnagata), in the role of the nurse Shigenoi. Sharaku's focus on the facial features and expression of the actor can be compared to the full-figure portrait of the same actor in the print by Toyokuni (F1974.97). The shimmering, dark mica background in Sharaku's print heightens the stark realism of the portrait and is a striking feature in many of the artist's actor portraits. The patterns of the costume were once printed in warm reds and yellows, which have nearly faded away. Little is reliably known about Sharaku, whose brief and brilliant production of actor prints continues to stimulate debate, speculation, and imaginative fiction.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Floating World: Ukiyo-e Paintings and Prints (December 8, 2002 to May 26, 2003)

  Japanese Theatre in the Edo Period (July 22, 1985 to October 15, 1985)

  Japanese Prints (December 1, 1978 to April 12, 1979)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer

• Type

  Print

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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• Date

  1700s, 1710s, 1720s, 1770s, 1780s, 1790s, 1730s, 1740s, 1750s, 1760s, 1800s, 1810s, 1820s, 1830s, 1610s, 1650s, 1640s, 1630s, 1620s, 1690s, 1840s, 1680s, 1850s, 1670s, 1860s, 1660s

• Name

  Toshusai, Sharaku

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Theater, Yakusha-e, Art, Actors and actresses, Edo period, Japan, (1600 - 1868), Japanese Art, Ukiyo-e

• Culture

  Japanese

• Object Type

  Prints