Memorial Portrait of the Actor Ichikawa Ebizo V (Danjuro VII) 1859

This 1859 woodblock print by an anonymous artist depicts Ichikawa Ebizo V (Danjuro VII), a renowned Japanese actor, in a seated pose. The print, created during the Edo Period, is part of the ukiyo-e genre, which depicts scenes from everyday life, and often featured actors and courtesans. The intricate details of the actor's clothing and the surrounding text, which likely describes a scene from a play, showcase the artistry of Japanese woodblock printing. The print's expressive depiction of the actor highlights the importance of theater in Japanese culture during this era. The Art Institute of Chicago houses this piece, a captivating example of ukiyo-e art.