This is believed to be oldest known example of Renjo’s surviving works. It gives the impression that Renjo didn’t yet have mastery of the technology; in any case, today the image is dark and difficult to see. However, it is a very interesting work because of the handling of the subject and the fact that it is preserved in a wooden case with an inscription. This portrait was made before set positions were adopted in portrait photography in Japan. Note how the subject is photographed from a diagonal and with his mouth is slightly open; these are conventions seen in nishiki-e printmaking to suggest movement.
- Collection of
- Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
- Title
- Portrait of Kimura Masanobu
- Original title
- 木村政信像
- Artist Name
- SHIMOOKA Renjo
- Year
- 1862
- Material / Technique
- Ambrotype
- Dimensions
- 81x69mm
- Accession number
- 10004065
- Tokyo Photographic Art Museum “Search the Collection”
- https://collection.topmuseum.jp/Publish/detailPage/14968/
