Print 1800 - 1865

This print was made by Utagawa Kunisada, a prolific artist of the Utagawa school, in Japan. This artwork displays a theatricality in its design, characteristic of Utagawa prints. Dominant is the large figure in red robes; his size and placement immediately draws the eye, establishing a hierarchy within the composition. Below him, two figures, a man and a tiger, engage in a playful interaction, rendered with meticulous detail. The dynamic interplay between the figures disrupts traditional notions of space and perspective. Kunisada challenges conventional representation, inviting us to question the narrative suggested by these characters. Are they in conflict or harmony? The tiger's upright tail creates a visual tension, contrasting with the stillness of the seated figure above. Kunisada’s use of flattened perspective, coupled with bold colours, serves to flatten the image. The effect invites interpretation, freeing the figures from fixed roles, and allowing for a multiplicity of meanings.