Acteur met schaaltje 1840

This woodblock print, "Acteur met schaaltje" (Actor with a Tray) was created by Utagawa Kunisada in 1840. The print shows a kabuki actor in an expressive pose, holding a tray with a small object. The artist's signature is visible in the lower right corner. Kunisada was a master of portraying theatrical characters, and this print is a fine example of his ability to capture the energy and drama of the stage. The use of black and white in the print, along with simple lines, lends itself to the minimalist style of ukiyo-e.