Artist: Hiroshi Yoshida
Medium: Original Japanese Woodblock Print
Series Title: The United States Series
Edition: First State - approximately 50 impressions
Date: 1925
Publisher: The Artist - Privately Published
Reference No.: Abe #10
Size: 16 x 10 -3/4 "
Condition: Very fine, with superb colors
Notes:
A first state example, which includes the red jizuri seal and color variations. Approximately 50 impressions were initially completed with exceptional color pigments compared to the regular state. Brush signed by the artist, and red seal in the lower right corner. Carver: Yamagishi Kazue (1891-1984), using blocks cut of mountain cherry wood from the Kiso Region (Nagano Prefecture). Yoshida employed artisan carvers and printers at his atelier and directly supervised them during the completion of this important series.
This is the most celebrated design from Yoshida's acclaimed United States Series. The six woodcuts were based on oil paintings that Yoshida completed during his third trip to the United States, from December 1923 to August 1924. Fifty copies of each were produced in the first printing, with second and third printings to follow. Every time a single print was completed, Yoshida would personally make improvements on the overall aesthetics. As a result, subtle differences in coloring can be detected among impressions.
El Capitan is the tallest exposed vertical face of sheer granite on earth, standing over 3,000 feet tall. This iconic monolith dominates the west end of Yosemite Valley.