<b>White Cat</b> / Tomoo Inagaki1957<b>SOLD</b></em>
ARTIST: Tomoo Inagaki (1902-1980)
TITLE: White Cat
EDITION: 1/10
MEDIUM: Woodblock
DATE: 1957
DIMENSIONS: 23 1/8 x 12 7/8 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
LITERATURE: Tomoo Inagaki Complete Collected Works, Keisho-sha, 1982, pg. 123
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SOLD
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Details
Tomoo Inagaki produced his first cat design in the early 1950s, inspired by his own pet cat. That work was oriented more towards realism. As Inagaki continued his cat designs, he elected to move in the direction of simplification and incorporate elements of cubism and abstraction. In this design, the artist elects for geometric simplification that showcases a strong mid-century modern feeling. The bold design relies heavily on the thick lines that build and hold the composition in place. Inagaki simplifies the cat's appearance by adding lines and small gouges that suggest patterns, texture, shadow, and color. The composition is bold, and Inagaki has made the cat's personality quite apparent.
Connoisseur's Note
This impression is part of the first edition of 10. Due to the design's popularity, subsequent printings were made in additions of 50 and 120. This impression bolsters razor-sharp registration with crisp lines throughout the composition. Fresh and vivid colors serve to animate Inagaki's cat beyond the confines of the design.
