Kuchi-e. Japan, Published around 1900. Signature and seal of artist.
KUCHI-E, literally “mouth pictures“, were created at the end of the 19th, beginning 20th century by many woodblock print artists as frontispieces for novels, literary magazines and sequel stories. These kuchi-e reflect the romantic depiction of idealized female figures of jukiyo-e. Stylistic elements of Western painting, whose influence increased beginning in the Meiji Period, led to a realistic and painterly style of the graphic content. Kuchi-e are measured 22 x 29 cm on average. Many kuchi-e fascinate with their exceptional and sophisticated print quality: Blind embossing, metal powder, lacquer effects - all refinements of the Japanese art of printing were utilized.
21,9 x 28,6 CM, 22 x 30 CM, 22,1 x 28,7 CM, 22,1 x 28,9 CM
From an old Viennese Collection