Lmao Keinen (1845-1924) - Japanese Woodblock Falcon and Prey

Description

From the Winter album of the Keinen Kachō Gafu (景年花鳥畫譜), which comprised woodblocks of full oban vertical subjects in a natural soft color palette. Featuring stunning large birds and beautiful small songbirds against scenery like blossoming cherry branches or snow-covered trees, these are exceptional nature prints from the late 19th century. The birds are naturalistically presented in their native habitat, featuring beautiful Japanese plants and flowers. The series was published by Nishimura Soemon in four volumes of forty prints each, with the blocks carved by Tanaka Hirokichi and printed by Miki Jinzaburo. Fixed to backing paper, which has been inscribed 'Keinen Imao' in pencil to the lower left. Inscribed. On wove.

Condition

Soft creasing to lower right corner. Very small (<0.5cm) tear to upper right corner. Age toning present. Overall in good condition for a picture of this age.

Size

39.2 x 29.9cm (15.4" x 11.8")
Sheet: 45.4 x 32.8cm (17.9" x 12.9")

Artist Biography

Born in Kyoto in 1845, Imao Keinen studied painting and calligraphy with Umegata Tokyo and Suzuki Hyakunen. He taught at the Kyoto Prefecture School of Painting, and exhibited in shows in Japan and Paris. One of the most well-known Japanese painters of his time, he became a member of the Art Committee of the Imperial Household in 1904 and the Imperial Art Academy in 1919, both great honors. Keinen earned lasting fame for his beautiful bird and flower designs, or kacho-ga, painted with wonderful lifelike detail.