Actor at a Gate, Torii Kiyomitsu (I), 1755 - 1760
color woodcut, h 350mm × w 132mm More details
Colour woodblock printing advanced swiftly in the mid-18th century. This print depicts a scene from a play. In addition to the black line block, three colour blocks were used: red, yellow, and purple. The natural pigments used are very sensitive to daylight. Consequently, the purple has turned grey and the once vibrant red and green colours have faded.
