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Toyohara Kunichika (Japanese, 1835–1900). <em>Memorial Portrait of the Artist Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)</em>, December, 1864. Woodblock print, 14 5/16 x 19 1/2 in. (36.4 x 49.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 16.750.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.750.1_IMLS_SL2.jpg)
Toyohara Kunichika (Japanese, 1835–1900). Memorial Portrait of the Artist Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), December, 1864. Woodblock print, 14 5/16 x 19 1/2 in. (36.4 x 49.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 16.750.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.750.1_IMLS_SL2.jpg)
Toyohara Kunichika (Japanese, 1835–1900). <em>Memorial Portrait of the Artist Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)</em>, December, 1864. Woodblock print, 14 5/16 x 19 1/2 in. (36.4 x 49.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 16.750.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.750.1_IMLS_SL2.jpg)

Toyohara Kunichika (Japanese, 1835–1900). Memorial Portrait of the Artist Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), December, 1864. Woodblock print, 14 5/16 x 19 1/2 in. (36.4 x 49.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 16.750.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.750.1_IMLS_SL2.jpg)

Toyohara Kunichika (Japanese, 1835–1900). <em>Memorial Portrait of the Artist Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)</em>, December, 1864. Woodblock print, 14 5/16 x 19 1/2 in. (36.4 x 49.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 16.750.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.750.1_bw_IMLS.jpg)

Toyohara Kunichika (Japanese, 1835–1900). Memorial Portrait of the Artist Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), December, 1864. Woodblock print, 14 5/16 x 19 1/2 in. (36.4 x 49.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 16.750.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.750.1_bw_IMLS.jpg)

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Memorial Portrait of the Artist Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)

Toyohara Kunichika

Asian Art

In this print made immediately after Kunisada’s death, Kunichika depicted his teacher as a pensive scholar. Immediately above the portrait are poems by Kunichika and two of Kunisada’s other prominent students, Kunisada II and Kunihisa II, as well as a poem that Kunisada composed about his own impending death. The right sheet of this diptych contains an obituary for the artist, written by a well-known author of the period who describes Kunisada as a student of Toyokuni. With three generations present in the text, the portrait becomes a celebration of both the artist and the Utagawa lineage.
ARTIST Toyohara Kunichika, Japanese, 1835–1900
MEDIUM Woodblock print
  • Place Made: Japan
    • DATES December, 1864
    PERIOD Edo period
    DIMENSIONS 14 5/16 x 19 1/2 in. (36.4 x 49.5 cm)  (show scale)
    MARKINGS 3 publisher's marks at lower right
    SIGNATURE Signed lower right: "Monjin Ippitsusai Kunichika hitsu"
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 16.750.1
    CREDIT LINE Museum Collection Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Two o-ban sheets, joined at center. In the left side of the diptych, Toyokuni II, in smoke green kimono with blue gown with butterfly-design, holds a brush and sits on a blue cushion in front of a low table with papers, water container, and ink stone. Additional painting tools on his left and a hand warner on his right. The text on the right side of the diptych introduces his biography. Condition:Some tears at bottom edge; two large tears at right near the artist's seal. Tainted at the left corner. All the edges worn and frayed slightly.
    EXHIBITIONS
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Toyohara Kunichika (Japanese, 1835–1900). Memorial Portrait of the Artist Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), December, 1864. Woodblock print, 14 5/16 x 19 1/2 in. (36.4 x 49.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 16.750.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.750.1_IMLS_SL2.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 16.750.1_IMLS_SL2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    Toyohara Kunichika (Japanese, 1835–1900). <em>Memorial Portrait of the Artist Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)</em>, December, 1864. Woodblock print, 14 5/16 x 19 1/2 in. (36.4 x 49.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Collection Fund, 16.750.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 16.750.1_IMLS_SL2.jpg)

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