Title : Ichikawa Monnosuke II, Onoe Matsusuke at a Teahouse

Artist : Katsukawa Shuncho

Date : c. 1780-1795

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Source : Minneapolis Institute of Arts
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Description : Depicting actors with beautiful women may have been an attempt by print publishers to capitalize on the commercial popularity of these two artistic genres. Torii Kiyonaga (1752-1815) was the first artist to depict actors and women together, and Katsukawa Shunch� later followed this lead. In this print, the actor in the center can be identified as Ichikawa Monnosuke II (1743-94) based on the family crest on his shoulder and sleeve. The actor Onoe Matsusuke (1744-1815) is shown seated on the bench with his crest displayed on his nearby jacket. The two men chat with a waitress, suggesting that the scene is taking place at a teahouse. This kind of prints must have catered to the popular interest of Kabuki fans in their favorite stars' private lives.

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