A Collection of Desires - Yoshitoshi's "A Collection of Desires" series features charming scenes of beauties going about their daily routines. Each design illustrates a desire or wish, emphasizing the mood or emotion of each woman at that particular moment. The figures are beautifully drawn with fine line work in the expressive faces and hairstyles, and careful attention to the clothing and settings. These attractive subjects are much rarer than Yoshitoshi's "Thirty-two Aspects of Women" prints from a decade later. Hardly ever seen on the market, these handsome first edition designs are a nice complement to Yoshitoshi's more well known bijin series.

I Want to See It in My Dreams, 1878 - Lovely design of a beauty sitting next to a lamp before retiring for the evening. Her chin rests on her hand as she looks down with a dreamy smile, lost in her thoughts. She wears an olive green kimono patterned with white cherry blossoms and tie-dyed medallions over a red under robe with a purple tie-dyed collar, tied with a red print obi. A few loose tendrils of hair curl about the sides of her face, the area around her eyes shaded with pink. A fine expressive figure with rich jewel-tone color in the fabrics and fine bokashi shading in the background.

Artist - Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892)

Image Size - 14 1/8" x 9 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Horizontal centerfold. Small hole, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, a few creases and stains, small rubbed spot. Please see photos for details. Good overall.