Sosaku Hanga - The sosaku hanga or creative print movement in Japan began in the early part of the twentieth century. Unlike the traditional collaborative woodblock printing process utilizing a separate artist, carver, and printer along with a publisher, the sosaku hanga movement emphasized artist involvement in designing, carving, and printing the blocks himself, as the sole creator of his work. The movement gained popularity following World War II, earning international acclaim and expanding subject matter to include abstraction. Today most contemporary Japanese print artists design, carve, and print their woodblocks themselves, continuing the vibrant creative tradition established with ukiyo-e. Sosaku hanga prints encompass a wide range of subjects and expressive artistic styles, and are a great choice for a collector interested in modern and contemporary prints.

Tadashi Nakayama - Sosaku hanga artist Tadashi Nakayama initially studied oil painting at Tama Art College, but began creating woodblock prints in 1951. In the 1960s, he traveled to Turkey, Greece, England, and Italy, absorbing influences from Persian and Byzantine art and the renaissance master Paolo Ucello. Throughout his long career, his subjects have included flowers, butterflies, women, and perhaps most famously, horses. Nakayama's complex images use rich color, ranging from deep earthy hues to vibrant jewel-tones, and many designs include metallic pigments. He carves and prints his works, signing and dating them in pencil. His vibrant modern woodblocks are a terrific choice for a collector interested in sosaku hanga prints.

Signed - T. Nakayama in pencil in bottom margin, dated 1959
Numbered - 28/80

Artist - Tadashi Nakayama (born 1927)

Image Size - 11 3/4" x 7 3/8' + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Slight toning, slight soiling and a few light creases at edges, slight curling. Please see photos for details.