Torii Kiyonobu I (鳥居 清信)
Torii Kiyonobu I (鳥居 清信) was an artist whose documented professional activity spanned the late 17th century, operating between 1664 and 1695. The artist is known primarily through his prints, fourteen of which are represented in major institutional collections, alongside one additional documented work.
The artist’s output focuses heavily on depictions of the theatrical world and celebrated urban figures. Prints attributed to Torii Kiyonobu I (鳥居 清信) frequently feature Kabuki actors in onnagata (female) roles, exemplified by works such as The Actor, Ichikawa Danjuro I, 1660–1704 as a Woman in Unidentified Role and Actor Sawamura Kodenji as a Woman at the Time of the Tanabata Festival. Other notable pieces documented in collections include Actor as Woman with Hobby–horse in Unidentified Role and Courtesan and Two Attendants.
The significance of Torii Kiyonobu I (鳥居 清信) is confirmed by the preservation of his work in prominent American museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. The accessibility of these historical pieces means that high-quality prints of Torii Kiyonobu I (鳥居 清信) prints are often available for study. As much of this material resides in the public domain, downloadable artwork may be utilized for scholarly and personal research on a royalty-free basis.
