Comparison of Famous Sites and Beautiful Women - Chikanobu's circa 1897 - 1898 diptych series "Comparison of Famous Sites and Beautiful Women" features beauties set against distant landscapes. The large foreground figures are rendered in full color, while the background is done primarily in tones of blue, a technique known as aizuri-e, that is unusual in Chikanobu's work. These lovely designs are elegantly drawn with careful detail in the fabrics, fine line work in the hair, and soft pink shading around the eyes. Some include deluxe treatments such as burnishing or embossing. Eleven prints from the series are known, and some are illustrated in Bruce Coats's book "Chikanobu: Modernity and Nostalgia in Japanese Prints." We rarely come across designs from this striking series.

Special detail - Faint embossing on the white kimono collar and the white sash around the waist.

Artist - Chikanobu (1838 - 1912)

Image Size - 14" x 18 5/8"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Two attached panels, backed with paper. Slight separation at ends of fold between panels, repaired. Slight toning and soiling, small rubbed spot on face, a few creases at edges and stains. Please see photos for details.