Actor Sakata Hangorō 3rd c. 1790s

Curator: This print by Katsukawa Shun'ei portrays the actor Sakata Hangorō the 3rd. It’s a woodblock print on paper, quite small, about 32 by 14 centimeters. Editor: That scowl! It’s the face you make when you stub your toe, but amplified by a thousand stage lights. Such controlled fury! Curator: Shun'ei was known for his actor portraits. He really captured the essence of kabuki performers, focusing on their expressions and dramatic poses. Editor: The composition is striking. The stark black robe against the pale skin, the crisscrossing swords… It's all about tension and angularity. The crossed arms echoing the crossed swords is interesting. Curator: Exactly, the bold lines and minimal background emphasize the actor’s emotional state. The cherry blossom branch gives a bit of seasonality too. Editor: Even those bare feet are saying something, aren’t they? Grounded, vulnerable, even in a moment of such stylized rage. Curator: It’s amazing how much emotion Shun'ei conveys with such simple lines and flat planes. He really knew how to capture a moment. Editor: Yes, it makes you wonder about the story behind that face, doesn’t it? What transgression, what slight, caused that boiling inner landscape? Very evocative.