Actor Matsumoto Koshirō 2nd Edo period,

Editor: This woodblock print by Katsukawa Shunshō depicts the actor Matsumoto Kōshirō II. The diagonal lines in the background create an interesting sense of depth. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Structurally, note how the diagonal lines converge with the actor's pose, creating a dynamic tension. The composition balances the static text pillar with the actor's active stance. The artist uses line and form to express movement. Editor: So, the emphasis is on the interplay of lines and forms rather than narrative content? Curator: Precisely. The actor becomes a set of forms arranged to create a visually compelling composition. Did you notice how the artist uses colors in a way that reinforces the dynamic? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it that way, but now I see how the colour helps to establish dynamism. Thank you. Curator: Yes, I hope you come to see the beauty of formalism.