<b>A FACE</b> / Koshiro Onchi1929<b>SOLD</b></em>

Details

Koshiro Onchi was one of the leading printmakers in 20th century Japan. He is credited with producing the first work of abstraction in printed form in 1915. Onchi was comfortable in both abstract and representational formats, making his prints stylistically varied. He is known for imbuing his work with an expressive quality that was thought-provoking and emotionally potent. In many cases, his most expressive work remains unrivaled today. With his charisma, Onchi tended to the flame of the sosaku hanga movement during the dark years leading to and during the war by encouraging artists to produce creative prints for art’s sake.

This early work is from 1929 and belongs to a transitional period when Onchi was exploring representational subjects while still lingering with the influence of abstraction. This design presents the viewer with a face showcasing a strongly primitive quality, perhaps recalling Picasso’s experimentation with African masks. The design is embellished in the vernacular of Onchi’s earlier geometric abstract work, where lines, ovals, and ellipses add a vibrancy to the composition. The face appears lifeless, almost as if the figure is caught in the moment prior to animation, while the geometric shapes mingle and combine to composite a viable whole that may summon the spirit and bring life into the figure.

This print is offered along with an original woodblock-printed poster, produced by Onchi in the same year. This poster was used as an advertisement for an exhibition of hanga and poetry. It is astonishing that such a work of ephemera has survived and remained in this state of preservation. The poster is a fascinating opportunity to examine how the artist used this print design and expanded upon it to produce a compelling advertisement. It’s worth noting that Onchi spent the vast majority of his career as a book and font designer. This poster easily demonstrates Onchi’s agility with graphic design and anticipates his success within this realm.

Connoisseur's Note

Onchi’s early work is scarcely available for sale. The artist did not believe in producing prints in quantity, and the scant few impressions he did create have unique qualities that hint at his creative spirit while printing. This print is made even more scarce by the accompanying poster, which was created by Onchi to promote an exhibition of prints and poetry. This pairing is unprecedented and is most likely the only surviving set known.