Artist: Takahashi Shotei
Medium: Original Japanese Woodblock Print
Series Title: Evening
Edition: First State
Date: c.1910
Publisher: S. Watanabe Color Print Co.
Reference No.: S:52
Size: 10 x 4 "
Condition: Very fine
Notes:
A scarce pre-earthquake print. The fan-shaped cartouche includes the number: "31".
According to S. Watanabe, 'Once completed, prints by Shotei reveal more exquisite colors than nikuhitsu, and many in Europe and America wanted his prints for their collections. Year after year, Shotei expended much effort in his print designs. By the earthquake of 1923, we (S. Watanabe Color Print Co.) produced more than 500 designs, large and small, by him alone.'
The first shinsaku hanga prints ever published were images on paper by Shotei. He excelled in landscape design and ultimately aspired to achieve the artistic quality inherent in the woodblock print. The artist's work is characterized by refined realism enhanced by a restrained palette and delicate lines. Mainly produced for the export market, these woodcuts gained the widespread popularity that still continues today.