<b>AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE</b> / Shizuo Fujimori1924<b>SOLD</b></em>

Details

The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, a catastrophic event in Japanese history, profoundly impacted the realms of photography and printmaking. In its aftermath, photographers documented the widespread destruction, capturing haunting images of the devastation and human resilience, reflecting a new era of social consciousness and realism in Japanese photography. The disaster also played a pivotal role in revitalizing traditional woodblock printmaking, inspiring artists to create powerful and emotionally charged prints that depicted the earthquake's aftermath, offering a bridge between the past and present by blending traditional techniques with contemporary subject matter. This seismic event thus left an indelible mark on Japanese art, pushing it towards greater social engagement and a fusion of modern and traditional artistic sensibilities.

A lone vertical structure—the remnant of a fireplace—stands defiantly erect among the rubble and remains of the construction it once belonged to. The design is stark in its composition and palette. The active hand of the artist is evident in the carving block. The lines left in the printing block’s constitution aid in the verticality of the design as well as imbue the composition with an austere disposition.

Connoisseur's Note

As a resident of Tokyo, Fujimori experienced first-hand the devastating impact of this calamity. His artwork from this time is an important historical record and a significant contribution to Sosaku Hanga. The artist’s work from this period is exceedingly rare. Due to the subject matter, the artist did not produce these designs for commercial purposes, and only a limited number of impressions were produced.