Material
Woodblock print
About
Japanese woodblock print of two white herons by Japanese artist Gakusui Ide and published by Shozaburo Watanabe. The piece features two white herons set against a stark black background speckled with fresh flakes of falling snow. The work is a beautiful example of kacho-e, or bird-and-flower pictures. Signed in impression in front lower left corner.
Artist Biography
Born in Yamanashi prefecture in 1899, Gakusui Ide studied Japanese-style painting with Tamon Yamanouchi and Kanpo Araki. Living in China between 1929 and 1946, he commenced his career as a woodblock artist after returning to Japan in 1949. In Japan, Gakusui also worked with the famed Shin Hanga publisher Shozaburo Watanabe, focusing on kacho-e (bird-and-flower pictures). He is particularly known for his prints of cranes and herons, which feature distinctly bold geometric lines. He passed away in 1982.
Dimensions
H 15.5 in. x W 10.13 in.
