Torii Kiyotada I

Little is known of the talented artist Torii Kiyotada. Japanese sources indicated that he was a pupil of Torii Kiyonobu I and that he worked from the Kyohö era (1716-1736) to the close of the Kannen era (1748-1751). Possibly the earliest-surviving single sheet by Kiyotada is a print in the Michener Collection (Kiyotada, No. 1). His work, either in hand-colored "tan-e" or the more luxurious "urushi-e," seems to be a skillful fusion of the styles of Torii Kiyonobu I and Okumura Masanobu. He also experimented in the perspective pictures with fine results. Unfortunately, Kiyotada's art is rare and it is difficult to assess his artistic merits without a more complete record of his work. The Michener Collection is represented by three fine "urushi-e" prints.

Research by: Howard A. Link.