Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese Fine Art Print, Kabuki Illustration, Ukiyo-e
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Utagawa Kuniyoshi Japanese Fine Art Print, Kabuki Theatre Actor
Kuniyoshi was born on January 1, 1798, the son of a silk-dyer, Yanagiya Kichiyemon, originally named Yoshisaburō. Apparently he assisted his father's business as a pattern designer, and some have suggested that this experience influenced his rich use of color and textile patterns in prints. It is said that Kuniyoshi was impressed, at an early age of seven or eight, by ukiyo-e warrior prints, and by pictures of artisans and commoners (as depicted in craftsmen manuals), and it is possible these influenced his own later prints.
Yoshisaburō proved his drawing talents at age 12, quickly attracting the attention of the famous ukiyo-e print master Utagawa Toyokuni. He was officially admitted to Toyokuni's studio in 1811, and became one of his chief pupils. He remained an apprentice until 1814, at which time he was given the name "Kuniyoshi" and set out as an independent artist. During this year he produced his first published work, the illustrations for the kusazōshi gōkan Gobuji Chūshingura, a parody of the original Chūshingura story. Between 1815 and 1817 he created a number of book illustrations for yomihon, kokkeibon, gōkan and hanashibon, and printed his stand-alone full color prints of "kabuki" actors and warriors.
Despite his promising debut, the young Kuniyoshi failed to produce many works between 1818 and 1827, probably due to a lack of commissions from publishers, and the competition of other artists within the Utagawa school (Utagawa-ryū). However, during this time he did produce pictures of beautiful women ('bijin-ga') and experimented with large textile patterns and light-and-shadow effects found in Western art, although his attempts showed more imitation than real understanding of these principles.
His economic situation turned desperate at one point when he was forced to sell used tatami mats. A chance encounter with his prosperous fellow pupil Kunisada, to whom he felt (with some justice) that he was superior in artistic talent, led him to redouble his efforts (but did not create any lingering ill-feeling between the two, who later collaborated on a number of series).
During the 1820s, Kuniyoshi produced a number of heroic triptychs that show the first signs of an individual style. In 1827 he received his first major commission for the series, One hundred and eight heroes of the popular Suikoden all told (Tūszoku Suikoden gōketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori), based on the incredibly popular Chinese tale, the Shuihu Zhuan. In this series Kuniyoshi illustrated individual heroes on single-sheets, drawing tattoos on his heroes, a novelty which soon influenced Edo fashion. The Suikoden series became extremely popular in Edo, and the demand for Kuniyoshi’s warrior prints increased, gaining him entrance into the major ukiyo-e and literary circles.
8x12 inches
12x18 inches
16x24 inches
20x30 inches
24x36 inches
And as a stretched canvas panel (heavy fine art canvas stretched over 1.5 inch deep edge solid wood frame)
Canvas panel sizes:
8x12 inches
16x24 inches
20x30 inches
All prints are made using archival art stocks and UV pigment inks to give up to 200 years life. Prints are sold unframed and unmounted.
All orders for unframed fine art prints and original paintings are dispatched within 2 working days of receipt of payment.
Orders for custom framed prints are dispatched within 4 working days.
All orders are fully tracked from dispatch to delivery at your home or business.
All print and original painting orders are fully insured against loss or damage in transit. We refund or replace any damaged or lost orders.
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Fine art papers are printed without any additional white border Please let us know at the time of ordering if you would like a small additional white border.
Rolled canvas options have an additional white border of approximately 2.5 inches (7cm) on all 4 sides to aid stretching.
Ready to hang canvas panels are stretched on 1.5 inch deep solid pine frames from sustainable forestry sources. The image is mirrored on all 4 sides to give an aesthetically pleasing finish.
Why not have us gift wrap your order and attach a personalised message to the recipient. Available for all orders. Each order is hand wrapped in high quality gift wrap with meatllic ribbon and bow. Your personalised message is printed on a card which is included with your order.
Have your hand wrapped gift delivered directly to the recipient.
Full tracking and insurance included with every order.
Please note design may vary depending upon availability
Just purchase the gift wrap option HERE
We have a wide range of frames in standard sizes and we also make custom size frames.
To order a framed print:
1. select the print size you would like along with the print materials (matte paper, fine art paper).
2. Add your print choice to the basket.
3. Choose from our range of frames
4. Select the same size as the print you have added to your basket. If the frame size you want is not listed please contact us
5. Choose from the mount or no-mount option
6. Add your frame choice to the basket
7. Proceed to checkout.
Why Choose GalleryThane?
- Printed and framed in-house
- Free UK delivery
- Fast international delivery
- Tracking and insurance included in every order
- Fast 1-3 day dispatch
- Gift wrapping service available
- Gallery quality materials
- Sustainable, eco-friendly packaging
- Great customer support
What makes our Prints and Canvas Panels so special
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Latest Giclee Printing Technology
We have invested in the latest wide format print technology to produce museum quality giclee prints utilising the highest quality pigment inks to give outstanding colour reproduction.
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Museum Quality Archival Fine Art Papers
We print on the finest quality fine art papers with textured, smooth and lustre finishes for prints which last a lifetime.
From aceo miniatures to 40x80 inch large format, every print has our lifetime quality guaranteee.
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Solid Wood Frames, Cotton Canvas
All of the wood for our canvas panels and frames is responsibly sourced from manages forests. Our cotton canvas is completely seedless for the highest quality reproduction possible.