<b>AFTER A BATH</b> / Ito Shinsui1917Price Upon Request</em>

Details

There are several instantly recognizable iconic works from the Shin Hanga movement, and it's no coincidence that a sizable portion of them are by Ito Shinsui. This design, "After a Bath," is certainly one of them. In this print, viewers are transported into an intimate moment celebrating the grace and beauty of femininity. The scene unfolds with a woman after her bath, captured in a serene morning routine. Crouched gracefully, she holds a bath towel while her kimono, folded at the waist, reveals her upper torso. The deep red highlights of her kimono, meticulously rendered through over a dozen impressions, exude elegance and sophistication. In the background, the circular pattern produced by the barren during printing convincingly portrays steam rising from her bath, enhancing the atmosphere of the scene. Her black, well-coiffed hair remains in place, save for a few wisps gently framing her face, enhancing the overall sense of tranquility and poise. Through Shinsui's masterful design, this woodblock print captures a fleeting moment of quiet beauty, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the timeless allure of traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Connoisseur's Note

This print is a rare pre-earthquake impression showcasing the highest level of craftsmanship from Watanabe's workshop. Pay close attention to the skillful bokashi on the figure's red garment and the circular pattern in the background, produced by the barren during the printing process. The razor-sharp impression, coupled with these printing embellishments, exemplifies the pinnacle of print production in 20th-century Japan.

As with all pre-earthquake prints, this print is among the rarest works in shin hanga, as the earthquake destroyed Watanabe’s studio and the original blocks and unsold inventory. Only prints sold before the earthquake and removed from Tokyo, as most of the city was destroyed by the ensuing fires, survived. Further bolstering the desirability of this work is its near-pristine condition—this print was kept together in archival folders, never framed or displayed for extended periods.