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Limited edition seal on verso
Limited edition seal on verso
Ito Shinsui (1898-1972)
'Bathing in Early Summer' (Shoka no yoku), from the series 'Twelve Images of Modern Beauties' (Shin bijin Juni sugata), 1922
Woodblock print
Signed: 'Shinsui saku'
Red artist's seal: 'Ito'
Dated: 'Taisho juichinen, haru' (Taisho 11 [1922], spring)
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo (white seal at lower right corner)
Hand-numbered limited edition seal on verso: 'Nihyaku mai kagiri zeppan, dai yonjyuyon ban' (200 limited edition, number 44)
Signed: 'Shinsui saku'
Red artist's seal: 'Ito'
Dated: 'Taisho juichinen, haru' (Taisho 11 [1922], spring)
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo (white seal at lower right corner)
Hand-numbered limited edition seal on verso: 'Nihyaku mai kagiri zeppan, dai yonjyuyon ban' (200 limited edition, number 44)
Vertical dai-oban:
43.4 x 26.8 cm. (17 ⅛ x 10 ½ in.)
43.4 x 26.8 cm. (17 ⅛ x 10 ½ in.)
Very good impression, colour and condition, a few very light marks to verso, embellished with extensive embossing to outline the figure.
In 1922 Watanabe Shozaburo and Ito Shinsui began production on this series, Twelve Figures of Modern Beauties (also translated as Twelve Images of Modern Beauties). This is a particularly experimental...
In 1922 Watanabe Shozaburo and Ito Shinsui began production on this series, Twelve Figures of Modern Beauties (also translated as Twelve Images of Modern Beauties). This is a particularly experimental design from the series, the final version of which came from multiple test prints and trial runs. Early test prints featured black outlines to the figure, others much stronger pink flushes to her body - all which were ultimately rejected. The final version without printed outlines to the majority of the figure, and a delicate pink blush to the body, as here, was issued in an edition of 200 in 1922. The use of the baren to create swirls of steam enveloping the woman is particularly effective.
For another example in the collection of The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, collection ID P00152-009, go to: https://www.momat.go.jp/en/collection/p00152-009
For another in the collection of The Art Institute of Chicago, reference no. 1954.889, go to: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/81743/early-summer-bath-from-the-series-twelve-images-of-modern-beauties
For another example in the collection of The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, collection ID P00152-009, go to: https://www.momat.go.jp/en/collection/p00152-009
For another in the collection of The Art Institute of Chicago, reference no. 1954.889, go to: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/81743/early-summer-bath-from-the-series-twelve-images-of-modern-beauties