<b>CHUREITO PAGODA</b> / Kasamatsu Shiro1956<B>SOLD</B></em>

Details

Kasamatsu Shiro was among the first artists to work with Watanabe. In 1919, he produced his first four designs with the founder of the Shin Hanga movement and added one more design in 1920. He resumed print design work in the 1930s, creating works for Watanabe and other publishers. In the 1950s, Shiro became interested in the intricate process of woodblock carving and printing and began producing Sosaku Hanga-inspired work until his death.

In Shiro's captivating woodblock print, the Japanese Pagoda takes center stage, commanding attention with its towering presence. With a keen eye for detail and a self-directed approach characteristic of Sosaku Hanga, Shiro focuses intensely on the verticality and intricate architectural features of the pagoda. Against a backdrop of brilliant blue, the gray and black structure emerges with a bloom-like quality, its form reminiscent of a rocket ship poised for takeoff. Surrounding the edifice, vegetation is depicted as deep, wavy lines, evoking the image of smoke pulsating from a rocket at launch. The structure’s antenna breaks from the composition, as its peak lies beyond the composition’s dimensions. This highly stylized and dramatic composition not only showcases the artist's expressive abilities but also elevates the venerable structure of the pagoda to new heights. In Shiro's hands, the pagoda becomes a vehicle for artistic expression, symbolizing both tradition and innovation in equal measure.

Connoisseur's Note

This impression is in pristine condition with sharp and vivid colors. Long sold out, this design is one of the artist’s more desirable recent designs. The print is numbered 185/200 at the lower right margin.