Ito Shinsui - Born in Tokyo, Ito Shinsui studied Japanese painting and began designing woodblock prints for the publisher Watanabe Shozaburo in 1916, with whom he collaborated until 1960. He is best known for his lovely shin-hanga images of beautiful women. These elegant and refined beauties are drawn with graceful line work and softly colored backgrounds. Recognized for his artistic achievements, the Japanese government declared Shinsui an "Intangible Cultural Property" in 1952, and he received the "Order of the Rising Sun" in 1970. His works are a wonderful choice to collect or display.

Comments - Lovely, large format portrait of a beauty after a bath, wringing the water out of a cloth over a small bucket. She wears a blue and white summer kimono patterned with bellflowers, the edge of her sleeve caught between her teeth to keep it from getting wet. A white ribbon holds back her hair, which is adorned with a translucent comb. The first time we've seen this beautiful design.

Publisher - Watanabe, with circular seal withing image at lower right

Artist - Ito Shinsui (1898 - 1972)

Image Size - 18 1/8" x 14 1/8" + margins as shown

Condition - Excellent color and detail. A few creases.