Details

Hiroshi Yoshida began his artistic career as an oil painter and watercolorist. An avid outdoorsman and mountaineer, Yoshida took full advantage of his travels, capturing the natural wonders he encountered, all painted en plein air. In this captivating piece, Yoshida presents a breathtaking mountain scene set in Japan.

Hodakayama, a subject Yoshida returned to time and again throughout his career, is rendered here with early-career flourish. The work anticipates his lifelong fascination with mountains and, more specifically, this majestic range. In this composition, Hodakayama is bathed in the gentle light of dusk, as warm pinks, yellows, and oranges fill the folds of the mountainous range, casting a serene glow. The artist's deft handling of light highlights the upper portion of the composition, while the lower section transitions into the softening, fading hues of evening as the light retreats into the shadows of the valley below. This exquisite work not only reflects Yoshida’s profound reverence for the mountain range but also carries personal significance, as he named his youngest son, Hodaka, after this very mountain.

Connoisseur's Note

Serious collectors of Hiroshi Yoshida's prints have increasingly turned to his oil and watercolor works to round out their collections. As a result, Yoshida's paintings have become notably rare in the market. When they do appear, they now command prices two to three times higher than they did only a few years ago. This piece is signed with the artist’s distinctive signature in the lower left corner and is presented in an elegant hand-painted gilded frame, adding a timeless touch to this remarkable work of art.