The actor Tanimura Torazo as Washizuka Hachiheiji 1794

Curator: This arresting woodblock print, "The actor Tanimura Torazo as Washizuka Hachiheiji", comes to us from the hand of Tōshūsai Sharaku in 1794. It's currently held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: Wow, what a face! I'm immediately struck by the intensity. It’s a fascinating study in capturing the nuance between disdain and almost comical bewilderment. Curator: Indeed. Sharaku was known for his unflinching portrayals of Kabuki actors, and this print exemplifies that. Note the precise lines of the eyes, how the curvature informs the directionality of the face as a totality. This character has great agency. Editor: Absolutely. The exaggerated features – the downturned mouth, the arched brows – offer insight into the character he's portraying and possibly even into the actor himself. How would an audience have perceived this? I mean what's at stake culturally and artistically in showcasing Tanimura this way? Curator: That’s precisely what’s intriguing here. This print departs from the idealized representations common at the time. There's an honesty to the portrayal. Also, let's appreciate the subtlety of the coloring: the ochre of the robe contrasting against the cool gray backdrop. A stunning choice. Editor: The clothing is clearly coded to provide markers of identification too. Thinking about Sharaku operating within the ukiyo-e tradition allows us to place this work within both a specific social and aesthetic practice, with distinct consequences, don't you think? I mean there are a lot of statements embedded here, no? Curator: Unquestionably. And there’s more to be observed here within the material itself. Examine how he created subtle variations in tone using only line and blocks of color. This enhances our ability to really scrutinize Tanimura's emotional life as performed here. Editor: So as contemporary viewers, we're placed at an interesting crossroads. We're appreciating this piece on multiple registers from craftsmanship to cultural history in ways unavailable to audiences at the time. What do you hope folks will think about once they view it today? Curator: Simply, I'd hope audiences reflect on Sharaku's virtuosity and his groundbreaking approach to portraiture, specifically. Editor: For me, it’s an opportunity to consider art as a space for nuanced social commentary and for understanding performance.