Katsukawa Shun'ei (勝川春英)

Katsukawa Shun'ei (勝川春英) was a print artist whose documented period of activity spans 1693-1777. His known output focuses predominantly on theatrical subjects, specializing in portraits of actors in specific roles and costuming.

Fifteen of Katsukawa Shun'ei (勝川春英)'s prints are represented in major North American collections, establishing the artistic relevance and museum-quality of his work. His prints are held by institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago.

The preserved works often capture dynamic theatrical moments, such as The Actor Ichikawa Komazo II as a Samurai in Fighting Trim and An Actor as Sadakuro in the Forty–seven Ronins. Other documented pieces include Segawa Kikunojo, in a Female Role and An Unidentified Actor.

The focus on individual performers demonstrates a strong interest in the Kabuki stage. Today, these historical records ensure that high-quality prints derived from Katsukawa Shun'ei (勝川春英)'s original output are widely accessible. Many of these period works have entered the public domain, making them available as downloadable artwork for scholarly review and appreciation.