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Nishimura HodoDahlias1939
1939
$350
£270.44
€312.65
CA$494.58
A$554.70
CHF 290.49
MX$6,740.14
NOK 3,688.70
SEK 3,497.15
DKK 2,333.76
About the Item
Dahlias
Color woodcut, 1939
Unsigned (as usual)
Format: oban
Publisher: Takemura Hideo
Stamp verso: "Made in Japan"
Provenance: Robert O. Muller
Biography
Hodo Nishimura was active as designer of kacho-e and landscape prints in shin hanga style in the 1930s. Publisher was Takemura Hideo.
There is little biographical data available about the Japanese printmaker Hodo Nishimura (西村蒲堂). It is not currently know when or where he was born and when he died away. He is generally believed to have been an in-house artist for the publisher Takemura Hideo in Yokahama from around 1930 until the business shut down in 1941. He is known to have signed his watercolors and some of his woodcuts as “Saito Hodo” or “H. Saito”.
The majority of the work attributed to him was created in the late 1930s using traditional woodblock technique. His work was collected by the famous Japanese print collector Robert Muller.
On April 10, 2003, at the age of 91, Robert O. Muller, a dedicated collector and art dealer, passed away. Widely acknowledged for amassing what is arguably the most extensive collection of Japanese Shin Hanga prints, his legacy lives on through the renowned Muller Collection.
Early Encounters with Japanese Prints
Robert O. Muller's journey into the world of Japanese prints began in the early 1930s. His first encounter with Japanese Shin Hanga prints occurred when he discovered offerings from the Shima Art Company in New York. This sparked his passion and marked the start of his collecting journey.
At the time, Japanese Shin Hanga prints were largely unknown to the American public. Attention was focused on issues like the global recession of the 1930s and rising political tensions with Imperial Japan starting around 1935.
Despite these challenges, interest in Shin Hanga prints grew through two major exhibitions held in Toledo, U.S.A., in 1930 and 1936. These events were commercially successful and introduced the prints to a wider audience.
Honeymoon in Japan
Robert Muller's fascination with Japanese prints turned into a lifelong passion. In 1940, he traveled to Japan for his honeymoon with his wife, Inge. This trip deepened his connections with key Japanese print publishers, including Watanabe Shozaburo, a major proponent of the Shin Hanga movement.
Muller also built relationships with other publishers like Nishinomiya Yosaku, Adachi Toyohisa, Kato Junji, and Sato Shotaro. He met renowned artists such as Hasui Kawase, Ito Shinsui, Hiroshi Yoshida, and Shiro Kasamatsu.
During his visit, Muller purchased prints directly from publishers and artists. The political climate of 1940 made this an opportune time, as the export-oriented Shin Hanga industry faced declining sales. Muller remembered buying prints by Koson Ohara for just 28 cents each, as noted in the book "Crows, Cranes & Camellias."
Shima Art Company
Before his trip to Japan, Muller acquired the Shima Art Company in New York and established the Robert Lee Art Gallery. The Pacific War, beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, created challenges for Japanese art businesses. Anti-Japanese sentiment and internment of Japanese Americans forced Muller to keep a low profile.
After the war, the environment for Japanese art businesses remained tough, but the Mullers adapted by holding sales exhibitions in American schools.
The Red Barn
By the 1960s, Muller's business and collection flourished. He expanded his interests to include Meiji-period prints and kuchi-e. This was a bold move, as many experts dismissed prints created after the Edo period as unworthy of collection.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the art world recognized the importance of Muller's collection. It became a valuable research resource, inspiring books and exhibitions. Stored securely in a red barn near his Connecticut home, the collection included prints and scrolls accessible to researchers and authors.
After the Death of Robert O. Muller
Following his death, the heirs of Robert O. Muller donated 4,000 prints and an extensive archive to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution. While this represented a significant portion of the collection, other parts entered the market and became available through galleries and online auctions.
The advent of the Internet democratized access to Muller's collection, allowing a wider audience to enjoy these treasures, marking a pivotal shift in the art market.
The Attraction of Muller Prints
Prints from the Muller Collection are highly regarded for their beauty, excellent condition, and rarity. Muller's discerning eye ensured that he selected pieces based on personal taste rather than purely for business.
Previously unseen works by lesser-known artists and exceptional designs from renowned creators highlight the uniqueness of the collection. Many prints feature deluxe elements like embossing and gofun, underscoring their high quality.
Shin Hanga - Crafted for the U.S. Market?
Critics argue that Shin Hanga prints were tailored for the U.S. market, offering a romanticized view of Japan. While there is some truth to this, art has always reflected the tastes of its time. The works of Hasui, Shinsui, and others remain timeless for their beauty and craftsmanship.
- Creator:Nishimura Hodo (Japanese)
- Creation Year:1939
- Dimensions:Height: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)Width: 11.13 in (28.28 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Fairlawn, OH
- Reference Number:Seller: UK19051stDibs: LU14015873732
About the Seller
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- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Akron, OH
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