Twee acteurs op versstroken c. 1850

This woodblock print, "Two Actors on Verse Strips," was created by Utagawa Kunisada, a leading artist of the Utagawa school, which dominated ukiyo-e in the 19th century. Kunisada was known for his portraits of Kabuki actors. Kabuki theater was hugely popular during the Edo period, appealing to a broad audience across social classes. Here, the actors are shown alongside vertical panels, or 'verse strips' covered in calligraphy, possibly lines from a play. Reflect on how Kabuki allowed for the exploration of identity, both in the roles portrayed and in the actors' own celebrity. Kabuki often challenged social norms, offering a space for the fluid representation of gender and class. How does this print, with its stylized depiction and theatricality, contribute to the construction and performance of identity? Consider how Kunisada uses the print medium, with its capacity for mass production, to disseminate images of these cultural figures, shaping their public image and influence.