<b>A MEXICAN COQUETTE</b> / Helen Hyde1912<b>SOLD</b></em>

Details

In addition to Asia, Helen Hyde spent a considerable time traveling in Latin American, particularly Mexico. Inspired by her travels, Hyde presents the viewer with a print showcasing a Mexican subject. The scene features a beautiful young woman out in a garden picking flowers while a group of young men looks on wistfully. The scene is playful, as Hyde adds a black cat to the composition looking on while the five men’s black hats appear to echo back the shape of the feline observer. The purple foliage that partially covers the wall separates the young woman from her admirers, which adds tension and drama and accentuates the woman’s beauty. The print’s round composition owes its inspiration to Japanese Ukiyo-e fan prints, particularly those of Hiroshige and Hokusai.

Connoisseur's Note

This Hyde print is executed on her typical thin, tissue-like paper. The work is in excellent condition exhibiting fresh and vivid colors. The print is signed in pencil at the lower right in the design. This piece is accompanied by an original keyblock trial proof. Such proofs are exceedingly rare and make this set highly desirable by collectors.