Toyokuni II Utagawa, Shiroganedai, Eight Views of Shiba
Artist: Toyokuni II Utagawa (1777–1835)
Title: Shiroganedai
Series title: Eight Views of Shiba
Publisher: Maruya Jimpachi
Date: 1815-1842
Size: 26 x 37.7 cm
Original Japanese woodblock print.
The artist for this print was the pupil and son-in-law of Toyokuni I. After the death of his master in 1825, he called himself Toyokuni II, but was challenged by other followers of Toyokuni and later changed his name to Toyoshige. This design bears resemblance to Toyokuni I and later Toyokuni III's style, with elongated faces and the distinctive facial features of the Utagawa school.
Toyokuni II Utagawa
Formerly known as Toyoshige, he was a pupil and the son-in-law of Toyokuni I. After the death of his master in 1825, he called himself Toyokuni II. This was to the chagrin of Kunisada Utagawa, who did not officially recognise the name, believing he was the better choice to head up the Utagawa School after Toyokuni I’s death.
His prints of actors and bijin are in Toyokuni’s manner, but his landscape prints have elements resembling Hokusai and Hiroshige. Although the woodblock prints of Toyokuni II are often considered ‘mediocre’, this is confused with the faithful keeping to the style of Toyokuni I. Toyokuni II’s ukiyo-e prints are well executed, and can stand their ground against the works of his contemporaries.
| Print Format | Oban (Vertical) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Toyokuni II Utagawa |
| Subject | Beauty & Female |
| Dimensions | 26 x 37.7 cm |
| Condition Report | Discolouration, soiling, wear, holes, paper residue on the front and back, creases. |
| Folders | In Store, DD |
