Katsukawa Shunkō (勝川春好)

Katsukawa Shunkō (勝川春好) was active in the realm of Japanese printmaking during the extended period between 1615 and 1767. The artist’s documented works primarily consist of Katsukawa Shunkō (勝川春好) prints focused on figures from the Kabuki stage and the high-ranking figures of the Edo period.

Fifteen of the artist’s prints are currently represented in major public collections globally. The subject matter frequently centered on theatrical portraiture, capturing individual actors in dramatic roles, as evidenced by titles such as The Actor Ichikawa Omezo as a Samurai with Two Swords, An Actor with a Sword Ready to Strike, and The Actor, Matsumoto Koshiro I 1674–1730 Reading a Letter. Other works addressed genre scenes depicting figures of rank, including A Daimyo Talking to One of His Retainers and the general depiction An Unidentified Actor Stands with an Open Fan in His Hand.

The artistic importance of these works is established by their inclusion in renowned collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Art. These museum-quality prints provide important visual documentation of popular culture and theatrical performance during the active period. Much of this historical artwork is now in the public domain, allowing for widespread access to these high-quality prints for research and educational purposes.