Watanabe Seitei

Wagtail (Bird on Maple Branch)

Watanabe Seitei's original woodcut, "Wagtail" is printed upon laid paper and with full margins as published in Tokyo by Shima around 1910. It is signed by the artist within the block and bearing the publisher's stamp. The art of Watanabe Seitei represents an important bridge between Japanese and Western style and technique. From studying Western printmaking methods he developed a very fine line, complex shadings and, most particularly, a strong application of negative space in order to highlight the primary design and detail. This is clearly seen in this fine tanzaku-ban woodcut. Wagtail depicts an autumn scene with a bird perched on a maple tree branch with red leaves. It is a fine, original example of the art created by the Japanese artist, Watanabe Seitei.

Wagtail (Bird on Maple Branch)

View other original Works of art by Watanabe Seitei.

Watanabe Seitei (1851- 1918)
#	Title & Artist	Medium	Date	Notes	-
01-	Roosters On A Cart In The Snow by Watanabe Seitei published by George Barrie	Original Lithograph	1894	Signed by the aritst within the block and bearing the George Barrie publisher stamp.	Sold
02.-	Wagtail (Bird on Maple Branch) by Watanabe Seitei published by the Shima Art Company	Original Woodcut	c. 1910	Signed by Watanabe Seitei within the block and bearing the Shima Art Company publisher stamp.	Sold

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Title:	Wagtail (Bird on Maple Branch)
Artist:	Seitei, Watanabe (Japan, 1851 - 1918)
Date:	c. 1910
Medium:	Original Japanese Woodcut
Publisher:	Shima Art Company
Note:	Watanabe Seitei: The study of nature through portrayals of birds and flowers (Kacho-ga) is a traditional genre in both Chinese and Japanese art. In the history of the Japanese woodcut the first Kacho-ga appeared in albums created in the early to mid eighteenth century by such artists as Morikuni and Shumboku. During the nineteenth century such influential masters as Hokusai and Hiroshige produced masterworks in this field. From 1880 to 1930 such fine artists as Shoson, Zeshin and Watanabe Seitei dedicated almost all their efforts to this specialized genre.
	Watanabe Seitei studied art under the historical painter, Kikuchi Yosai. During his early career he worked as a ceramics designer and industrial draftsman. In 1878, however, one of Seitei's paintings was included in the Exposition Universale, Paris, and was awarded a silver medal. From that point on Seitei painted and designed woodcuts for Kacho-ga. Seitei's first illustrated book of woodcuts, Seitei kacho gafu (Seitei's Drawing Book of Flowers and Birds), was published in Tokyo in 1890. A second album of birds and flowers was published in 1903. As well, Seitei designed a large number of individual woodcuts in all sizes. Over twenty of his individual woodcuts (including Wagtail) were published by the Shima Art Company.
	The art of Watanabe Seitei represents an important bridge between Japanese and Western style and technique. From studying Western printmaking methods he developed a very fine line, complex shadings and, most particularly, a strong application of negative space in order to highlight the primary design and detail. This is clearly seen in this fine tanzaku-ban woodcut entitled, Wagtail. In turn, Seitei's woodcuts proved to be a major influence upon the shin hanga art movement of the 1920's and 1930's. This original woodcut depicts an autumn scene, a bird (wagtail), perched on a branch with red maple leaves.
Size:	12 X 3 1/8 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
	Matted with 100% Archival Materials
Condition:	Printed upon laid paper and with full margins as published in Tokyo by Shima around 1910. Signed by the artist within the block and bearing the publisher's stamp. Containing one slight horizontal crease about two inches from the upper margin and slight foxing in the lower area near the seal, else a superbly printed impression and in very good condition throughout. Wagtail represents a prime, original example of the art of Watanabe Seitei.
Price:	Sold - The price is no longer available.
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