Portrait Japan
Varvara Dmitrievna Bubnova (Russian: Варвара Дмитриевна Бубнова) was a distinguished Russian painter, graphic artist, and pedagogue, celebrated for her mastery in lithography. Born into a noble family in St. Petersburg, she was deeply immersed in an atmosphere of poetry and music from an early age, which significantly influenced her artistic and intellectual development. Bubnova's education spanned from the Drawing School of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts to the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, where she was an active member of the avant-garde group "Union of Youth" alongside prominent figures like Mayakovsky, Malevich, and Goncharova.
Her journey took a dramatic turn in 1923 when she moved to Japan, marking the beginning of a transformative period where she not only embraced Japanese art forms like suibokuga and Sumi-E ink drawing techniques but also significantly contributed to Japanese cultural life through her work and teachings. Her unique approach to art and education left a lasting impact on Japanese arts and culture. Among her notable works inspired by her experiences in Japan are "Young Violinist" (1942) and "Village Street. Japan" (1953), showcasing her fascination with Japanese life and aesthetics.
The later years of her life were spent in Sukhum, Abkhazia, where she continued to create vibrant and expressive works, demonstrating a remarkable adaptability and evolution of her artistic style throughout her life. Her works from this period, such as "Behind the Green Door" (1972), highlight her ongoing exploration of color and form. Bubnova's legacy extends beyond her artworks, as she played a crucial role in promoting Russian literature in Japan, contributing to a deeper understanding and appreciation of Russian culture among Japanese audiences.
Bubnova's artworks are part of major collections domestically and internationally, showcasing her diverse talent across various mediums and subjects. Her influence on both Russian and Japanese art scenes underscores her position as a bridge between cultures, celebrated for her artistic innovations and cross-cultural contributions.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Varvara Dmitrievna Bubnova's works represent a unique fusion of Russian avant-garde principles with Japanese artistic traditions, making her a fascinating figure whose pieces are a testament to a life spent transcending cultural boundaries. To stay updated on new sales and auction events related to Varvara Dmitrievna Bubnova's works, sign up for updates and immerse yourself in the legacy of this extraordinary artist who effortlessly blended the best of two worlds.
Tsugouharu Foujita was a French twentieth-century artist of Japanese descent. He is known for his unique style, combining elements of Japanese painting and printmaking with European realism.
Foujita created a wide range of works in a variety of genres, including nudes, images of cats, portraits of women and children, and self-portraits. He later converted to Catholicism and began creating paintings with religious themes. The artist was internationally recognized, and his work was exhibited in many countries around the world. His work was characterized by the perfection of pictorial technique, virtuosity of drawing and an atmosphere of sophistication. The master also showed talent in graphics, photography, ceramics, theater, cinema and fashion design. Prices for his paintings were comparable to those of Picasso's works.
Tomoo Gokita is a leading contemporary Japanese artist on the international art scene. His deeply psychological monochrome abstract and figurative paintings and drawings in shades of grey represent cultural archetypes with distorted and hidden features against an ambiguous background.
Yozo Hamaguchi was a Japanese artist and copperplate engraver who revived the almost forgotten technique of mezzotint by the 20th century.
He studied at the Tokyo University of Art, traveled to Europe, worked in Paris, and participated in exhibitions. Hamaguchi innovatively inserted bright colors into his black-and-white mezzotints, producing surreal and abstract paintings.
Hideaki Kawashima is a Japanese artist who lives and works in Tokyo.
After graduating from the University of Tokyo, he underwent two years of Buddhist temple training before beginning his career as an artist in 2001.
Hideaki Kawashima uses portrait painting and self-portrait masks to show the ambiguity of human life. His characters with expressive eyes express a spectrum of emotions: fear, desire, anxiety, longing. Yet these emotions are ambiguous. Kawashima brings touches of folklore, mythology and surrealism to androgynous faces.
Watanabe Kazan (Japanese: 渡辺崋山) was a Japanese artist, scholar, and samurai during the reign of Tokugawa Iesada, the 13th Tokugawa Shogun of Japan. Watanabe Kazan simultaneously handled the administration of his province, Western science, and national defense issues during a period marked by social and political unrest.
Torii Kiyoshige I was a prominent Japanese artist, active during the Edo period. His works, primarily consisting of woodblock prints and paintings, reflect a significant era in Japanese art history. Kiyoshige's contributions are notable for their vivid depictions and artistic elegance, representing the rich culture and art of Japan during this period.
One of Kiyoshige’s renowned works is "The Second Sawamura Sojuro in the Role of Ume no Yoshibei," a woodblock print created in the second month of 1763. This piece is a fine example of his skill in capturing the essence of Kabuki theatre actors through the ukiyo-e art form. The artwork showcases his ability to blend colors and ink on paper, creating a lifelike representation of the actor's character. This piece is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Another significant work by Torii Kiyoshige I is "The Warrior Asahina Yoshihide Lifting a Puppet of a Courtesan on a Go Board." This mid-18th-century piece is a hanging scroll, demonstrating Kiyoshige’s versatility in different mediums. The artwork features ink, color, and gold on paper, presenting a unique and intricate composition. This piece, also housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, is part of the Mary Griggs Burke Collection, highlighting the importance of Kiyoshige's work in international art collections.
Torii Kiyoshige I’s artistry is not only a reflection of his individual talent but also an embodiment of the cultural and artistic vibrancy of Edo-period Japan. His works, residing in prestigious museums, continue to be a subject of admiration and study for collectors, auctioneers, and art experts worldwide.
For those interested in keeping up to date with sales and auction events related to Torii Kiyoshige I’s works, signing up for updates is highly recommended. This subscription offers a professional and focused way to stay informed about new opportunities to appreciate and acquire pieces related to this influential artist.
Toyohara Kunichika (Japanese: 豊原 国周) was a distinguished Japanese woodblock print artist, renowned for his vibrant and dynamic depictions of kabuki theater scenes. Born in the Kyobashi area of Edo (modern-day Tokyo), Kunichika's artistic journey began at an early age under the tutelage of classical painting artist, Toyohara Chikanobu, and later, the preeminent ukiyo-e designer, Utagawa Kunisada. His style, characterized by strong, multicolor theater scenes, made him a notable figure in the ukiyo-e art form during the Meiji period.
Kunichika's works are celebrated for their yakusha-e (actor-prints) of the kabuki stage, where he adeptly incorporated imported German aniline pigments. These saturated colors matched the flamboyant kabuki scenes and symbolized progress and enlightenment in Japan's modern era. His innovative approach in using strong reds and dark purples, often as background colors, marked a departure from the softer colors traditionally used in Japanese prints. Kunichika's success continued into the Meiji era, with his works being displayed at international exhibitions like the 1867 World Exhibition in Paris and the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
Notable works by Kunichika include "Onoe Kikugorō V as Akashi no Naruzō in the play Shima Chidori Tsuki no Shiranami" (1890) and "Spring outing in a villa" (c. 1862), illustrating his use of vanishing point perspective and "big head" portraiture. His skillful use of color and dramatic depictions of actors in kabuki theater made him a popular and influential artist in his time.
Kunichika's legacy is preserved in various collections, including the Lavenberg Collection of Japanese Prints, which features several of his works. Despite the decline of the ukiyo-e tradition by the time of his death in 1900, Kunichika's dynamic and colorful designs played a significant role in keeping the woodblock tradition alive and popular.
For collectors, auctioneers, and experts in art and antiques, Toyohara Kunichika's works represent a unique blend of traditional Japanese art and modern influences. To stay informed about sales and auction events related to Kunichika's works, signing up for updates is recommended. This subscription provides a professional way to keep up with opportunities to appreciate and acquire pieces by this influential artist.
Makoto Saitō is a Japanese graphic designer, self-described "poster designer", and artist. Saitō was born in Fukuoka, Japan. His early work as a printmaker was successful, shown internationally, and is part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Saitō worked from 1974 to 1980 at Nippon Design Center before starting his own firm, Makoto Saitō Design. His posters are typified by text-free imagery in dense inks printed on thick, high quality papers. His wide-ranging creative activities explore perpetual theme of “seeing.”
Fumie Sasabuchi is a Japanese artist living and working in Berlin.
Fumie studied painting at Tama Art University in Tokyo and then at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. The artist flirts with the theme of death, depicting human entrails and bones with anatomical precision on the surface of the skin of the depicted person, in the form of tattoos. Sasabuchi's work is based on photographs from fashion magazines or horror movies, which she reworks in her own style.
Perhaps some of the motifs in Fumie Sasabuchi's work have roots in Japanese Yakuza culture. Juxtaposed with the European taboo theme of depicting death, the result of her work may shock or at least amaze.
