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「真写月花の姿絵（まことのつきはなのすがたえ）」四代目中村芝翫
Actor Nakamura Shikan IV, from the series Portraits as True Likenesses in the Moonlight (Makoto no tsuki hana no sugata-e)
「真写月花の姿絵（まことのつきはなのすがたえ）」四代目中村芝翫
Japanese
Edo period
1867 (Keiô 3), 3rd month
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Vertical ôban; 35.5 × 24.4 cm (14 × 9 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.41087
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
DescriptionFrom a series of 38 sheets, including a title page, frontispiece, and 36 silhouette portraits.
Signed
Ikkeisai Yoshiiku sha
一恵斎芳幾写
一恵斎芳幾写
Marks
Censor's seal: Hare 3 aratame
No blockcutter's mark
改印：卯三改
彫師：なし
No blockcutter's mark
改印：卯三改
彫師：なし
InscriptionsPoem by the actor
「初枝の花ももみちもわかなかな」
「初枝の花ももみちもわかなかな」
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850–d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 19, 2005)
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.
NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.