Kunichika Silkscreen

My friend Nigel Robson created this silkscreen by hand, a copy of an original woodblock print by the Japanese artist, Toyohara Kunichika, circa 1875. He portrays Kabuki actor Ichikawa Sadanji. In Nigel's own words:

The menacing mien is a standard feature of kabuki and the famous actors each had their trademark expressions. . . . this is the best print I ever did from a technical standpoint (and believe me, I did many) . The toothpick is the most intricate stencil cutting I ever executed as it involved cutting razor fine lines with a No. 11 surgical scalpel. I honestly have difficulty believing that I did it when I see them today.

The Ronin Gallery in midtown New York is exhibiting 36 Kunichika woodblock prints, all of famous Kabuki artists of his time.