Item from the Mokuhankan Flea Market

Snowstorm

Size: 40.0cm by 50.0cm (15.75 in by 19.69 in) | Enlargement | Shipping Code: [XL] ?

Designer: Ito Shinsui

Era: Post-war | Currency: $ / £ / €

Price: ¥ 28,000$ 220.00£ 165.00€ 189.00 [Item has been sold]

Description: Shinsui (“Deep Water”) Ito (1898–1972), born Ito Hajime, was one of the most significant woodblock print artists of the shin-hanga (“new prints”) movement. A Tokyo native, he studied Nihonga (traditional Japanese-style painting) under the guidance of Kaburagi Kiyokata.

He became best known for his bijin-ga (images of beautiful women), which featured a simple yet richly colored palette, often seen in the clothing of his subjects. These were contrasted with the luminous whiteness of the women’s skin and the striking black of their hair.

Though his early works echoed classical ukiyo-e, Shinsui’s approach to technique was innovative. He began with a master painting in watercolor, which was then passed to skilled carvers and printers who would make the actual prints from this ‘master copy’. This collaborative process allowed for deep textures, subtle transparency, and powerful expressions not achievable in painting alone.

This print presents a close-up portrait of a beauty delicately holding an umbrella, shielding herself from the gentle fall of snowflakes. The color palette is vibrant, with striking contrasts between deep blues, vivid reds, and whites. Sparkling pigments are used in the motifs of her obi and robe, adding a subtle shimmer to the composition. Her expression conveys a serene, captivating calm. An interesting detail is the few loose strands of hair across her face, suggesting a sense of movement and fleeting moment.

This print has few foxing spots.

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