Actor Bando Mitsugorō 3rd as Minamoto no Yorimasa (from a set of three spring kyōka surimono) c. 1820 - 1823

Editor: This is a woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada, portraying actor Bando Mitsugoro III. The layering of patterns is so intricate. What draws your eye in terms of formal composition? Curator: The tension between the flattened perspective and the detailed textile patterns creates a dynamic visual experience. Notice how the artist utilizes line to define form, yet simultaneously disrupts it with surface ornamentation. Editor: It’s like a contradiction! So, the interplay between line and pattern is key? Curator: Precisely. The composition challenges our perception of space and depth, inviting a deeper consideration of the artwork's surface and materiality. Consider the relationship of color; how does it reinforce or undermine the contours? Editor: This has given me a whole new perspective on evaluating prints. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, the formal elements are a gateway to understanding its artistic merit.