Kitao Masanobu (北尾政演)

Kitao Masanobu (北尾政演) was a Japanese artist documented as active between 1761 and 1784. Known for his ukiyo-e woodblock prints and illustrated books, his surviving works provide insight into late 18th-century Edo culture.

Records of the artist's output confirm 12 prints and 3 books represented across major international institutions. His prints frequently focused on figures and scenes of the Floating World, including actors and social environments. Notable prints include Enjoying the Evening Cool in Hirokoji, part of the series "Eight Contemporary Views of Ryogoku (Tosei Ryogoku hakkei)," and the portrait Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Haya no Kanpei in "Chushingura Nagori no Kura." Kitao Masanobu (北尾政演) prints also depicted landscapes, such as Goten Hill, from the series "Famous Places for Flowers in the Eastern Capital (Toto hana meisho)." Other documented works include Three Women Standing on the Seashore and The Evening Wind-bell.

The significance of Kitao Masanobu (北尾政演)'s career is underscored by the presence of his museum-quality works in prestigious collections globally, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Rijksmuseum. Due to the age of these works, many are now considered public domain, making high-quality prints and downloadable artwork available for research and educational purposes.