Creativity of contemporary artists at the exhibition "Interpretation of Sharaku"

ST. PETERSBURG. St. Petersburg lovers of Japanese art received a magnificent gift. The exhibition “Interpretation of Sharaku” was opened at the Museum of Urban Sculpture on March 1, representing the work of contemporary Japanese artists. A feature of this exhibition is that each of the works performed by Japanese artists echoes the work of the mysterious artist Tosyushai Sharaku, an 18th-century portrait painter.

The artist left behind a solid creative legacy from several cycles of portraits. Of these, the most famous are caricature portraits depicting actors who play the main roles in the national theater. This series of works, comprising about 140 expressive portraits painted in a hyperbolic style, was created by Tushusai Sharaku in less than a year.

The artist painted his first portrait in May 1794, and in February of the following year the artist disappeared, turning into the largest mystery of Japanese fine art. There is a version that the pseudonym Sharaku hid Jurobe Saito, the actor of the No theater. However, this has not received reliable evidence. The sensational disappearance made Sharak a legendary figure.

The exposition of the opening exhibition is composed of 81 exhibits presented in three sections. The first part, entitled "Reproductions of Sharaku" includes prints of the most famous 28 portraits of actors belonging to Sharaku. The second section is called "Sharaku in graphic art." The exhibition ends with the section “Adoration of Sharaku”. In the last two parts, the works of contemporary Japanese artists are presented, which are interpretations on the themes of the work of the legendary Toshusai Sharaku.

During the exhibition, valid until March 30, lectures on Japanese art will be held.

Ludmila Trautmane © Gallerix.ru