Details

Very little is known about Hirano Hakuhu, who was a nihonga (Japanese-style) painter and print artist who produced a handful of designs. Of the small group of prints in his oeuvre, this design is among his best works.

Hakuho treats the viewer with a sensual and voluptuous nude (by Japanese standards) that is crutched over in front of the viewer as she is toweling off. The allure of this design is made by Hakuho’s skillfully orchestrated contrasts. The soft, muted tones of the nude’s skin are set in sharp contrast to the brightly colored robes to her left. These robes seem to anchor the design and provide a fitting backdrop to the other textures found throughout the print. Of particular note in this impression are the beautifully pronounced circular barren marks found in the background, which add depth, texture, and interest while subtly advancing the figure forward toward the viewer.

Connoisseur's Note

This impression was printed by the illustrious shin hanga publisher Shozaburo Watanabe. This design is one of a handful of prints produced by Hakuho for this publisher. The print is an early impression, as the careful and subtle printing of the design suggests. This work is in an extraordinary state of preservation, making it a true time capsule. It was never framed or displayed and was stored in archival boxes. Prints in this pristine condition seldom come up for sale. This is an exceedingly rare opportunity to own a stunning Hakuho design with fresh and vivid colors in its original state.