<b>NAKAMURA KICHIEMON</b>Jun&#39;Ichiro Sekino1997<b>SOLD</b></em>

Details

Jun’ichiro Sekino was a long admirer of the Japanese dramatic arts. During the war, when the theatres were closed, Sekino met the kabuki actor Kichiemon during an informal performance at a government-run factory where the artist worked. The two kept an acquaintance due to their shared love for the performing arts as well as haiku poetry. Sekino’s portrait of Kichiemon was produced after the war, at a time when art supplies were obtainable. The portrait is quite powerful in its format—Kichiemon’s likeness is life-size. The overall impression of the design is composed and contemplative. The image is executed in a natural and subdued palate, highlighting the realism of the subject and perhaps showcasing the actor’s contemplative personality when he sat and modeled for the portrait. It’s interesting to consider the artist elected to highlight the actor as himself directly and not through any of his previous theatrical roles, as was the convention of shin hanga actor portraits. The background of the design has an inset of an Edo period kabuki actor print by Sharaku, arguably the greatest portrait artist of the Edo period. Sekino chose to include this inset to connect his portrait to the kabuki theatre. Perhaps the addition may have also been a veiled attempt at commenting on his own abilities as a portrait artist.

Connoisseur's Note

This striking print is a beautifully produced studio impression of the design. The later signature with the large loop in the “J” and the sizable printing run of 50 designates this example as a post-1955 printing.