Memorial portrait of the actor Matsumoto Yonesaburo I 1805

This woodblock print, created in 1805 by Utagawa Toyokuni I, is a memorial portrait of the famed Japanese actor Matsumoto Yonesaburo I. The actor is depicted in traditional garb, seated with an elegant posture. The meticulous detail of the actor's clothing and the artist's signature in the upper right corner are key features of ukiyo-e prints, a genre that flourished in Edo-period Japan and depicted scenes from everyday life, theater, and popular culture. This portrait captures the essence of kabuki theater, a prominent form of Japanese performance art. The print is a testament to the lasting influence of both the actor and the art form.