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Imao Keinen
Original Japanese Watercolor and Woodblock Print of a Lark, Barley and Beans

1891

About the Item

Barley, broad beans and a lark (Omugi, soramame, hibari). Original preparatory watercolor next to the finished original Japanese woodblock print. This is a highly finished preparatory watercolor that would have been used in the production of this bird-and-flower album. It is very unusual to have the original painting along with the print. We see a lark perched on the stem of a blooming broad bean plant, only partially visible. To the left are barley plants, providing a nice vertical contrast. Examining the print closely, we notice how closely the printmakers have replicated the brushstrokes of the artist, and how closely the colors have been matched. These have been framed side-by-side in a gold frame with an attractive green silk mat. It is very unusual to have the original painting alongside the print. The painting at left has the title of the work at top right, while this information was put on a separate page when the album was printed. These have been conservation framed side-by-side in a gold frame with an attractive deep green silk mat. From the album Keinen Gafu; haru no bu (Album of Keinen Works, Part Spring) In the introductory page of this album Nishimura Sôzaemon, the owner of the shop and publisher of this album, wrote a preface (hinkoku, meaning announcement) in February 1891 that includes the following announcement: ...We felt the necessity to break away from the traditional style and to introduce a new one. We asked the nihonga artist Imao Keinen, who agreed with our intention and reworked a collection of flowers and birds. His mastery in depiction gave new life and enlivened them. As a result he produced an important art book which can be used not only as a design book for yûzen-zome but also for all artistic works. Our products have become popular in and outside Japan at different expositions, and have been prize winners. At the naikoku kanngyô hakurankai, the National Industrial Exhibition, we have been the winner since its opening in 1877 (Meiji 10). In 1889 at the International Exposition in Paris we were crowned by an honorable prize. To our great honor and trepidation, we received orders from the Imperial Household of Japan as well as from loyal families overseas... From the album Keinen Gafu; haru no bu (Album of Keinen Works, Part Spring) In the introductory page of this album Nishimura Sôzaemon, the owner of the shop and publisher of this album, wrote a preface (hinkoku, meaning announcement) in February 1891 that includes the following announcement: ...We felt the necessity to break away from the traditional style and to introduce a new one. We asked the nihonga artist Imao Keinen, who agreed with our intention and reworked a collection of flowers and birds. His mastery in depiction gave new life and enlivened them. As a result he produced an important art book which can be used not only as a design book for yûzen-zome but also for all artistic works. Our products have become popular in and outside Japan at different expositions, and have been prize winners. At the naikoku kanngyô hakurankai, the National Industrial Exhibition, we have been the winner since its opening in 1877 (Meiji 10). In 1889 at the International Exposition in Paris we were crowned by an honorable prize. To our great honor and trepidation, we received orders from the Imperial Household of Japan as well as from loyal families overseas... The sighted image size of each of the two works is about 32 x 22 cm.
  • Creator:
    Imao Keinen (1845 - 1924, Japanese)
  • Creation Year:
    1891
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 19.69 in (50 cm)Width: 26.78 in (68 cm)Depth: 0.79 in (2 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Overall excellent impression, color and condition. The frame has a small nick on the edge.
  • Gallery Location:
    Burbank, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: KEC017L1stDibs: LU33229231372

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