Ito Shinsui (1898-1972) | Washing the Hair (Kami) | Showa period, 20th century
Lot Closed
November 18, 02:51 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Ito Shinsui (1898-1972)
Washing the Hair (Kami)
Showa period, 20th century
woodblock print, silver mica ground, signed in black ink Shinsui ga, and with artist's rectangular seal Shikuntei, limited edition paper label to verso dated Nijuhachinen kugatsu (September 1953), and stating in Japanese Zaidan hojin bunkazai kyokai hakko, bunkazai hogo iinkai zohan, kami, seisaku nihon hanga shuppan kyokai seisaku kantoku Ito Shinsui, and in English in Roman script: Washing the Hair by Shinsui Ito, Published by Commission for Protection of Cultural Properties, No. 81 and with two red seals
Vertical obaiban: 49.5 x 34.9 cm., 19½ x 13¾ in.
Alongside Kawase Hasui (1883-1957), Shinsui was commissioned by the Commission for Protection of Cultural Proprieties in 1952 to each a produce a print to commemorate the art of woodblock printing; this present design was the artist's contribution. The large obaiban format work is embellished with a rich mica ground, casting into relief the paper white skin of the half nude. This composition bears resemblance to the right-hand figure of a painted two-panel folding screen entitled Tresses (1929). Here, the design reverts to the simplicity of Shinsui’s early works, modelling the body in supple voluptuous lines offset by the boldly patterned blue and white robe.
For the same print in the collections of Harvard Art Museums, object number 1978.229, go to:
