Carpenter Rokusaburô 1814 - 1817

Curator: This striking woodblock print, dating from 1814 to 1817, is titled "Carpenter Rokusaburô." It’s the work of Utagawa Kunisada and is held here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Immediately, what grabs me is the tension, right? His hunched posture, the grip on his arm – it feels like he's bracing himself for something. Or trying to suppress a mighty sneeze! Curator: The portrayal definitely leans into kabuki theater traditions; capturing expressive, dramatic emotion was key for depicting popular actors. Editor: It’s theatrical but intimate. His robe, dotted and patterned, and the texture of the wood in that partition behind him – I get such a feel for the everyday world through it, despite the theatrical flare. Does this portrayal relate to larger social commentary? Curator: Indeed. Utagawa Kunisada was one of the most prolific Ukiyo-e artists. His portraits not only showcased famous actors but reflected the burgeoning culture of Edo period Japan and its popular entertainment. These prints were mass produced for a growing middle class audience with an increased engagement in leisure activities and fandom. Editor: I love that the popular actor or tradesman would be plastered up just like celebrity posters of our own days! It says something profound that he wasn’t just an anonymous figure; there's a sense of personality being conveyed through the art, not just his physical appearance. Curator: Precisely. Kunisada’s keen sense of the commercial market meant a broader range of individuals were captured and represented. Ukiyo-e prints really democratized the arts in ways previously unimaginable. Editor: So the woodblock medium made this representation truly democratic... I find this image now strangely empowering... an ancestor almost, challenging our pre-conceptions of old artwork. Curator: Absolutely. This portrait reveals so much about artistic production and its link with society. Editor: Right... looking again, one is always seeking patterns; the little speckles across his clothes are also everywhere, including inside all our little heads. Maybe this image is about making an emotional choice of embracing patterns... like his decision to become an actor. Food for thought!