<b>NOH ACTOR</b>Gen Yamaguchi1958<b>SOLD</b></em>

Details

Gen Yamaguchi was a sosaku hanga artist who perhaps was closest associated with his teacher, Koshiro Onchi. Yamaguchi started his career producing representational subjects and, like Onchi, abandoned realism for abstraction after World War II. Onchi and Yamaguchi experimented with found objects as printing blocks for their abstract designs; both were adamant each arrived at the practice independently. 

This design was inspired by a found object—a portion of Yamaguchi’s fence that appeared to him to possess a face. Upon making this discovery, the artist liberated the plank of wood from the fence and used it in the construction of this composition. In the finished print, the face is clearly visible. The remaining portion of the print is an elegant, sparse composition with a leaf-like shape that composes the upper torso of the figure. The gray background exhibits extensive use of baren sujizuri (swirls) that add depth and texture. The overall impact of the design is contemplative, with the found face appearing regal and noble—perhaps the likeness of a Noh actor who is caught on stage in a dramatic moment of deep contemplation or concentration.  

Connoisseur's Note

This impression is an experimental A.P., appearing different from impressions of the regular completed edition of 50. This impression demonstrates stronger and sharper defined features in the face caused by the knots and woodgrain pattern in the wooden plank. The sharper definition of the face would suggest this impression is quite early and perhaps the first impression of the design. The subtle green and gray coloration in the top portion of the face is absent in later impressions. The print is titled, numbered, and signed in pencil by the artist. This design is considered the artist’s most important work.