Details

Susumu Yamaguchi is a sosaku hanga artist most known for his mountain landscapes, but this striking nude certainly showcases Yamaguchi’s diverse talent when departing from his typical subject. A seated, partially nude female figure is holding a bouquet of flowers as she stares out past the viewer’s gaze. The woman is rendered with particularly wide shoulders and a commanding set of arms and hands. Her darker skin tone suggests she may be a foreigner whose occupation is predominantly outside and laborsome. This commanding nude recalls the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso and his series of female bathers who exhibited pronounced physicality. The print’s vibrant, almost electric, palette contributes further to the potency of the design.

Connoisseur's Note

This exceedingly rare work is a departure for Susumu Yamaguchi, as the vast majority of his prints depict landscape designs. This larger-scale work is in excellent condition displaying unusually bright and vibrant colors. The work is signed with the artist’s seal at the lower right.