Comments - Great portrait of kabuki actor Kawarazaki Gonjuro I backstage in his dressing room, carefully applying makeup as he looks into a large oval mirror on an elegant lacquer stand. He has painted his face with a bold red design for an aragoto or brash warrior role, adding black eyebrows with a narrow brush. Other brushes hang from a rack attached to the mirror stand, the fluffy bristles rendered with delicate embossing. A wig rests on a stand at top center. A terrific design with an unusual perspective, showing the actor's face only as reflected in the mirror. A nice choice for a kabuki enthusiast, also in the collection of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

Artist - Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864)

Image Size - 13 1/2" x 9 3/8"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Backed with paper. Stitching holes at side from previous binding, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, a few creases and stains. Please see photos for details. Good overall.