<b>BEFORE THE MIRROR</b> / Hirano Hakuho1932<b>SOLD</b></em>

Details

Very little is known about Hirano Hakuhu, who was a nihonga (Japanese-style) painter and print artist who produced a handful of designs. Of the small group of prints in his oeuvre, this design is among his best works. 

In this design, Hakuho presents a quiet and contemplative scene of daily life. A woman is sitting before a mirror, seen from the back, which exposes the nape of her neck—an erotic display in Japan—preparing for a jaunt outside. Something has startled her attention, and she strains to look toward the viewer’s left to see what the cause may be. Though the subject appears subdued, the print is a riot of color, texture, and pattern—displaying all the possibilities found within this artform and showcasing the extraordinary talent possessed by the artisan woodblock carvers and printers. A quick survey of the image displays the intricate pattern in the woman’s garments, which creates a striking contrast to the soft and unified form of her well-coiffed hair. The background and foreground are a dance of gray swirls that suggest the movement of the printer’s hand.

Connoisseur's Note

This impression was printed by the illustrious shin hanga publisher Shozaburo Watanabe. This design is one of a handful of prints produced by Hakuho for this publisher. The print is an early impression, as the careful and subtle printing of the design suggests. This work is in an extraordinary state of preservation, making it a true time capsule. It was never framed or displayed and was stored in archival boxes. Prints in this pristine condition seldom come up for sale. This is an exceedingly rare opportunity to own a stunning Hakuho design with fresh and vivid colors in its original state.