Utagawa Kunisada (I)
Utagawa Kunisada was the most prolific artist of the Edo period. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he lived without financial worry. He inherited a share in a ferry service in the Honjo district of Edo. This steady income allowed him to demand high prices and immediate cash payments from publishers. He often signed his work Gototei, which refers to this family business. This independence gave him a unique position in the ukiyo-e world.
Biography
Kunisada dominated the Utagawa school for decades. He produced over 20,000 designs during his career. His work focuses on the theatre and the pleasure districts. While some artists prioritised scenery, Kunisada placed figures at the centre of his compositions. His actor portraits are bold. He captured the specific expressions of Kabuki performers with clarity. His later series often included suggestive scenes known as abuna-e.
Collectors today value Kunisada for his technical skill and the variety of his output. His prints provide a detailed record of nineteenth-century Japanese fashion and theatre culture. The woodblock prints use strong lines and balanced compositions. These qualities make them suitable for modern interiors. His work represents the peak of the Utagawa school style. Each print offers a specific glimpse into the urban life of old Tokyo.
Notable Works
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Utagawa Kunisada (I) prints
Hand-finished archival prints from Utagawa Kunisada (I)'s body of work.
Waaierblad met vliegende Koekoek - Utagawa Kunisada (I)
From £28.00
Taferelen in een bordeel - Utagawa Kunisada (I)
From £28.00
Lovers on a Veranda - Utagawa Kunisada (I)
From £28.00
Lovers on a Terrace in Winter - Utagawa Kunisada (I)
From £28.00
Badhuis (Public Bathhouse) - Utagawa Kunisada (I)
From £28.00
Untitled (Movable Erotic Print) - Utagawa Kunisada (I)
From £28.00
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What is Utagawa Kunisada (I) known for?
Utagawa Kunisada (I) is known for utagawa Kunisada was the most successful ukiyo-e artist of the Edo period, famous for his bold portraits of Kabuki actors and beautiful women.