<b>IMPRESSION OF A VIOLINIST (Suwa Nejiko) </b> / Koshiro Onchi1946<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.

In 1946 Onchi was invited to a recital performed by the celebrated violinist Suwa Nejiko. The performance was arranged by Occupational forces and conducted on a US military installment.

Onchi was invited to the performance by his friend and patron William Hartnet, a member of the U.S. military charged with the arrangement of cultural events. Onchi was significantly moved by the performance. As Oliver Statler suggested in his book, Modern Japanese Prints, perhaps it was the sight of this important Japanese violinist playing in occupied Japan for an American audience while Japan’s defeat was still fresh that may have provoked such a poignant response in the artist. Staler went further and included a statement Onchi shared with him about the performance: “a harsh electric light showed the strain in her face, and I saw tragedy performed there.” The performance was so soul-stirring that Onchi created the impression of Suwa, the Violinist, shortly thereafter.

This striking design depicts Suwa at the center of the composition, flanked by two sinuous black lines that may suggest the silhouette of figures. The semi-abstracted lines also possess a lyrical quality that may imply musical sound. It’s curious that the lines also appear to echo the shape of the violin. The background is a wash of gray and white that is printed with such sensitivity that it provides a fitting atmosphere for such a moving image. Based on Onchi’s statement, it’s clear the sharp contrasts of light and dark in print are directly related to the strong light that fell on Suwa’s face as she performed on stage.

Connoisseur's Note

This print is a rare self-printed impression. The subtlety and emotionally charged quality of the printing reveal the hand of the master at work. Of particular note is the subtle printing of gray in the face, particularly around the eyes and the additional white block used in the background, on the face, and in the silhouetted figures. This additional white color block has been documented in only two impressions, including the present example. It is interesting to compare this design with a photograph of Suwa found on a 1948 recital program. Note her signature bouffant-like hairstyle that is constant with Onchi’s emotionally charged portrait. The work comes with a rarely seen presentation folder with the artist's signature, seal, and the work’s title all in the artist’s hand.