Beauty in the Snow

by Takehisa Yumeji (1884 - 1934)

Current Status

Beauty in the Snow by Takehisa Yumeji (1884 - 1934)

Takehisa Yumeji (1884 - 1934) Japanese Woodblock Reprint
Beauty in the Snow

Takehisa Yumeji - Takehisa Yumeji was a leading artist and illustrator in Japan during the Taisho era. His romantic portraits of contemporary young women were extremely popular, and he designed many woodblock prints for newspapers, women's magazines, and book covers. His slender, languid women are drawn with expressive line work, and sometimes have a naive, almost childlike quality. Yumeji's work found an enthusiastic following in Japan, and today, there is a museum devoted to him in Okayama, his birthplace. While there was little foreign interest in his work prior to his death in 1934, in subsequent decades Yumeji's prints have become very popular and highly sought after by collectors. 

Comments - Great portrait of a beauty during a snowstorm. smiling slightly as she looks to the side, the wind blowing her scarf over her head. A striking design. The first time we've seen this small format reprint.

Woodblock reprints - In the 20th century, artists and publishers collaborated to recreate famous woodblock prints for interested Japanese collectors and Westerners looking for rare designs. New blocks were made, and the prints were painstakingly printed by artisan printers in the same method as the 19th century originals - one block for each color. Woodblock reprints were an opportunity to collect and enjoy a famous design at a small fraction of the price of an original. They still are today.

Artist - Takehisa Yumeji (1884 - 1934)

Image Size - 5 3/4" x 3 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - Nice color and detail.

Beauty in the Snow by Takehisa Yumeji (1884 - 1934)
Beauty in the Snow by Takehisa Yumeji (1884 - 1934)

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