<b>NIGHT SCENE ON THE HYOTAN POND ASAKUSA PARK</b> / Ishiwata Koitsu1932<b>SOLD</b></em>

Details

There are only a handful of oversize, double oban prints in Shin Hanga, and Koitsu Ishiwata’s "Night Scene on the Hyotan Pond, Asakusa Park" is among the very best in this group. In this design, Koitsu presents us with a night’s festivities at Asakusa Park, but the artist obstructs the view at the center with a crowd, suggesting the real area of interest may be elsewhere. Upon closer inspection, the design unfolds and deepens as one considers the stunning reflections in the pond caused by the lights overhead and the shuffle of the distracted crowd. In the reflections, the lights and colors soften and blend into a world unto itself. There is a strong sense of irony that the attendees present are not aware of the beauty that is just beyond the reach of their attention.

Connoisseur's Note

This design is Koistu’s most sought after print and rarely comes up for sale, particularly in this fine state of preservation. The work is oversized, and due to its striking and sizable composition, the vast majority of these prints were framed and, as such, unfortunately, have lost a significant portion of their original vibrancy and coloration. This work was never framed nor exposed to light for prolonged periods and is in a pristine state of preservation and appears as fresh and vibrant as the day it was printed. This impression bears the Maxwell Collector's seal at the left margin. Maxwell was a celebrated collector of Shin Hanga who only collected the top designs in the best possible condition. There is no better pedigree for a 20th-century print.