Artist: Ito Shinsui
Medium: Original Japanese Woodblock Print
Series Title: Landscape
Edition: First State
Date: 1941
Publisher: S. Watanabe Color Print Co.
Reference No.: Ito Shinsui Cat #107
Size: 14 x 19 -3/4 " (dai-oban)
Condition: Very fine, with superb colors.
Notes:
A near mint example, with stunning colors throughout. S. Watanabe seal in right margin.
Ito Shinsui made it clear from the beginning of his artistic venture with Watanabe that he would remain an artist and relinquish the engraving and printing to the expert craftsmen. This process would enable each artisan to contribute their own special skill to the creation of every design. Shinsui focused on the delicate brush lines that are so unique to his paintings and prints. Ito would draw precise lines that would vary based on the type of style necessary to attain his desired result. The expert engravers would then follow those lines to cut the blocks that would be used to complete the final work of art.
The artist was mainly known for his depiction of beauties, but he was also inspired to draw landscape, still life, and actor portraits. Shozaburo Watanabe also thought it was a waste of Shinsui's talents to focus solely on bijin-ga, so he began to request designs of landscape scenes and still life images from the artist. Because of this recognition of his talents by both artist and publisher, one must view all his achievements to find the absolute value in his artistry. - All the Woodblock Prints of Ito Shinsui.