The Actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I Standing 1733 - 1753

Ishikawa Toyonobu created this woodblock print of "The Actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I Standing" in the eighteenth century. Notice how Toyonobu masterfully employs the full-length format to draw attention to the actor’s striking costume. The checkered pattern of the outer robe contrasts with the floral motifs on the inner garment, creating a visually engaging composition. Toyonobu uses line and color to define form and space. The delicate lines of the actor’s face and hands contrast with the bold, geometric shapes of his attire. The subdued color palette, dominated by browns and grays, imbues the print with a sense of understated elegance. Toyonobu was a leading figure in the Ukiyo-e movement. The floating world aesthetic focuses on ephemerality and beauty through the presentation of cultural life like the theater. The actor's slightly bowed posture and downcast gaze add to the overall mood of contemplative beauty. Through careful design, Toyonobu captures a moment of suspended animation, inviting us to contemplate the actor’s persona and the ephemeral nature of performance.