{"title":"Chiura Obata 小圃 千浦","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eChiura Obata (1885-1975) was an influential American artist who was born and educated in Japan. Obata taught at Berkeley from 1932 to 1954, a period broken only by his unjust internment during WWII. In 1930 Obata and the Japanese publisher Takamizawa published “World Landscape Series: America,” the groundbreaking effort which represents the apogee of woodblock printing in the 20th century. Each of the 35 prints in the series required between 120 and 205 separate hand printings, and some required 15 to 20 blocks just to replicate a single brushstroke. A five-city retrospective of Obata’s work concluded in 2020 at the Smithsonian American Museum of Art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7_IbPsRVhAA\u0026amp;feature=youtu.be\" title=\"Chiura Obata: American Modern\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7_IbPsRVhAA\u0026amp;feature=youtu.be\u003c\/a\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"oba012","title":"Obata: “Before the Rain, Mono Lake”. (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e “Before the Rain, Mono Lake”. This nuanced distillation of beauty conveys how powerfully Obata was connected to the California landscape.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis nuanced, rapturous distillation of beauty conveys how powerfully Obata was connected to the spiritual essence of the California landscape. One of the best designs in the series. From the World Landscape series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. The project employed more than 32 carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. In order to give the effect of a watercolor, scores of blocks were used for each design, and specially prepared paper was made. Each design required between 100 and 160 impressions to create. In the “Obata’s Yosemite” book, the following text accompanies this image: “Mono Lake shows a maidenly beauty when it is still and quiet. Trembling, the lake awaits the approaching rain, the clouds of which hover over the distant mountain ridges.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReportedly 400 impressions of each of the 35 compositions were made, with only the finest 100 selected for the portfolio, and the 10,500 “less perfect” impressions were destroyed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLiterature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shown in “Obata’s Yosemite”, page 19.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unsigned, as is common\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29584465690706,"sku":"OBA012","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/2132883202_06bbca55-a215-4401-a857-a7b6c474c249.jpg?v=1564327550"},{"product_id":"oba014","title":"Obata: “Foggy Morning, Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco”. (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e “Foggy Morning, Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco”. Silver mist enhances the pervading fog in this minimalist scene of Obata’s adoptive city.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the World Landscape series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. The project employed more than 32 carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. In order to give the effect of a watercolor, scores of blocks were used for each design, and specially prepared paper was made.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReportedly 400 impressions of each of the 35 compositions were made, with only the finest 100 selected for the portfolio, and the 10,500 “less perfect” impressions were destroyed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29584465723474,"sku":"OBA014","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/1964420405_2cb42aae-2685-40e7-bd60-cf9eca0757c9.jpg?v=1564327555"},{"product_id":"obc015","title":"Obata: “Morning at Mono Lake”. (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e “Morning at Mono Lake”. The crisp air matches the crispness of the details in this cheerful vista.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the World Landscape series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. The project employed more than 32 carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. In order to give the effect of a watercolor, scores of blocks were used for each design, and specially prepared paper was made. Each design required between 100 and 160 impressions to create.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReportedly 400 impressions of each of the 35 compositions were made, with only the finest 100 selected for the portfolio, and the 10,500 “less perfect” impressions were destroyed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very good impression, color and condition. Some mat burn from the original folder and very slight toning.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLiterature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shown in “Obata’s Yosemite”, page 116.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Artist’s seal\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29584468967506,"sku":"OBC015","price":5975.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/3551551881_421e9883-4037-47f6-9bcb-296b2c768c92.jpg?v=1564327668"},{"product_id":"oba023","title":"Obata: Interior of a Japanese home framed by shoji screens. (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Interior of a Japanese home framed by shoji screens.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e c. mid 20th C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInterior of a Japanese home framed by shoji screens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent impression, color and condition. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e artist’s seal\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29584481615954,"sku":"OBA023","price":575.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/2315777074_dc8f91ea-b45d-4074-8446-c2259d4ae482.jpg?v=1564327934"},{"product_id":"oba024","title":"Obata: View of a Japanese landscape from a garden. (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e View of a Japanese landscape from a garden.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e c. mid 20th C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eView of a Japanese landscape from a garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very good impression, color and condition. Some creasing.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e artist’s seal\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29584481648722,"sku":"OBA024","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/3492072217_8c7a07ac-8b51-43d5-83b2-de2899eba4d9.jpg?v=1564327935"},{"product_id":"oba025","title":"Obata: Deer in Garden (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deer in Garden\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e c. mid 20th C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKoi swim near a waterfall and two images of deer in this view of a Japanese garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent impression, color and condition.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e artist’s seal\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29584481681490,"sku":"OBA025","price":500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/652394946_5b54629e-4c45-4ba4-8459-816ef95fab15.jpg?v=1564327941"},{"product_id":"oba032","title":"Obata: Fish jumping (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fish jumping\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e c. mid 20th C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWoodblock print of a bass jumping from the water. The text printed reads “Season’s Greetings, Kim and Masa Obata”. Kim Obata was Chiura Obata’s oldest son.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent impression, color and condition.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e artist’s seal\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29584553508946,"sku":"OBA032","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/1020828582_411d7504-3a4e-4bb0-b488-5644dbebf2a4.jpg?v=1564329410"},{"product_id":"oba033","title":"Obata: Sumi-e of two seabirds on the shore. (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sumi-e of two seabirds on the shore.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Undated\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing his internment during WWII, Obata chose to focus on sumi painting. He had many students over the decades, and one could guess that rather quick brush paintings like this one were done as demonstration during one of his many classes. His brush is unerring; few can relate so much information with such economy. This is from a group of about ten such brush sketches; most are signed, but some lack his signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent condition; no toning or stains.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 26 x 39 cm\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29584589226066,"sku":"OBA033","price":1975.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/3013960502_4bd64cdd-411c-4403-b948-83e48ece68c8.jpg?v=1564330156"},{"product_id":"oba008","title":"Obata: Carmel By the Sea Painting on Silk (SOLD)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carmel By the Sea Painting on Silk\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Undated, ca. 1940s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImportant painting on silk of this uniquely California view along the scenic northern coast. Misty clouds, crashing waves and anchored rocks all have their distinct features and depth, all brought to life with only black pigment and a brush.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eObata began his sumi-e training in Japan at the age of seven, and he learned how to create “color” variations using only black ink for the first seven years of his training. Obata also painted and sketched every day of his life to keep the fluid precision of his brush throughout the decades of his career. However, formal works like this one on silk are surprisingly scarce. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eObata also seems to have added mica to the silk, which is unmounted, as there is an extra sparkle that enlivens the surface of the work. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObata's renderings of ancient trees were sometimes considered to be representative of Obata himself--stubbornly clinging to America and his own high ideals despite the mistreatment he often received in his adopted land. Obata taught at Berkeley for more than two decades; despite being a University professor he was interned along with thousands of Japanese Americans in 1942. As he wrote in \"Topaz Moon\": \"We were forced to artificially leave the land where we had lived and move into those stables in Tanforan. This was a kind of sin that was intolerable. From this sin, we had to bring these schoolchildren back to equality. We had to do something about it. My first thought was to open an art school and start teaching everyone.\" (page 37). The latest book on this artist, \"Chiura Obata: American Modern\" offers a fresh context for Obata as an American Modernist master. Here we see his combination of the best of Japanese technique with the fresh perspective and unique beauty of the California landscape. The work is unmounted, and has an optional frame from which it is easily removed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eProvenance: Garzoli Gallery, San Rafael. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 51 x 39 cm, approx.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Artist’s seal in red\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLIterature:\u003c\/strong\u003e \"Chiura Obata's Topaz Moon: Art of the Internment\", edited by Kimi Kodani Hill, 2000. \"Chiura Obata: An American Modern\" by ShiPu Wang, 2018.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29585651826770,"sku":"OBA008S","price":25000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA008.jpg?v=1642375706"},{"product_id":"obc016","title":"Obata: “Eagle Peak Trail” (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e “Eagle Peak Trail”. Unusual perspective of what must be El Capitan, the view the hiker receives when emerging from the trail.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the World Landscape series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. The project employed more than 32 carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. In order to give the effect of a watercolor, scores of blocks were used for each design, and specially prepared paper was made. Each design required between 100 and 160 impressions to create.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReportedly 400 impressions of each of the 35 compositions were made, with only the finest 100 selected for the portfolio, and the 10,500 “less perfect” impressions were destroyed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very goodimpression, color and condition. Some mat burn from the original folder and very slight toning.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLiterature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shown in “Obata’s Yosemite”, page 130.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Artist’s seal\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29585852170322,"sku":"OBC016","price":20000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/1848073835.jpg?v=1564327670"},{"product_id":"oba022","title":"Obata: A kitty dozes benath a flowering tree in a beautiful garden. (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e A kitty dozes benath a flowering tree in a beautiful garden. Most likely a trial proof for a print that was later titled “Early Summer Breeze at Shiho En.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e c. mid 20th C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA kitty dozes benath a flowering tree in a beautiful garden. Most likely a trial proof for a print that was later titled “Early Summer Breeze at Shiho En.” This also lacks the two red seals that are seen on the titled works\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent impression, color and condition. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29586679693394,"sku":"OBA022","price":700.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/321122264_71679f38-1040-45a5-9bd9-ff84a0f11e39.jpg?v=1566278330"},{"product_id":"oba031","title":"Obata: Setting Sun in the Sacramento Valley (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Setting Sun in the Sacramento Valley\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA bold and astonishing rendering of a sunset sky. From the World Landscape series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. The project employed more than 32 carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. In order to give the effect of a watercolor, scores of blocks were used for each design, and specially prepared paper was made.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReportedly 400 impressions of each of the 35 compositions were made, with only the finest 100 selected for the portfolio, and the 10,500 “less perfect” impressions were destroyed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unsigned, as is common\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29586749718610,"sku":"OBA031","price":9500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/1383446990_269dade3-b3aa-48cf-ac6d-3cd2ca383334.jpg?v=1564329292"},{"product_id":"obata-painting-on-gold-leaf-of-point-lobos-pines","title":"Obata: Painting on Gold Leaf of Point Lobos Pines (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sumi-e Painting of Pine Trees at Point Lobos\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Undated\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSumi-e painting on gold leaf of the famous pine trees at Point Lobos, California. Obata has here employed a very traditional Japanese square format of a poem card mounting featuring sprinkled silver on the verso. Inscribed verso with the title in Japanese “Beikoku Hokka Point Lobos Pine Tree”. This work was most likely painted by request for a Japanese client or friend. Purchased in Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 27 cm x 24 cm\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Artist’s seal in red\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Obata\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Some water damage to lower left of work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":30382777794642,"sku":"OBA039","price":2400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA039crop3_41a6168b-8576-4b82-b65a-e0f2817ee214.jpg?v=1569802493"},{"product_id":"obata-modernist-california-home","title":"Obata: Modernist California Home (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Midcentury Modern Home\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e c. mid 20th C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWoodblock print showing a beautiful modernist home, presumably one owned by a friend in California. A cluster of pines to the right are a contrast to the spare, glassy exterior of the home. A friend probably commissioned this from Obata to commemorate the completion of the home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent impression, color and condition. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata and sealed with red artist's seal\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":30383044952146,"sku":"OBA042","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA042.jpg?v=1569802744"},{"product_id":"obata-bamboo-painting","title":"Obata: Bamboo Painting (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bamboo Painting\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Undated\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSumi-e painting of three bamboo canes.  Bamboo was one of the classic Chinese subjects for all ink painters, especially during their training.  Mastery of the different parts of the bamboo (stem, knot, branches and leaves) was essential in order to capture the true essence of the bamboo.  The Chinese felt that the essence of the bamboo was also an expression of the true endurance.  Obata was a renowned master of sumi-e painting, and his mastery of the tradition is evident in even rather spare compositions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e Very good  condition.  Repair on lower right corner. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e  52 x 39.4 cm\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Artist’s seal in red\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":30398228168786,"sku":"OBA036","price":1100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA036crop1.jpg?v=1569890994"},{"product_id":"obata-watercolor-study-of-a-seated-man","title":"Obata: Watercolor study of a seated man (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eWatercolor study of a seated man\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e July 23, 1934\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatercolor painting of a sandy-haired man seated on a bench. His arms are crossed and one leg is drawn up, while one rests on the floor. Obata has carefully noted the date of the work, “July 23rd 1934”. Chiura Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, and made many study paintings as demonstration to his students. Even for these he used Japanese paper that he obtained from Japan. Although best known for his landscapes, Obata could accurately capture just about anything that was in front of his eyes. We can see that he had the model pose in a position that is challenging to draw. His economy of line and mastery of the brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. The University of California, Berkeley preserved many of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah at Topaz during WWII. With a Certificate of Authenticity from the Estate of Chiura Obata. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent condition overall, minor creases on edges on Japanese paper. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e  52 x 39.4 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan mce-data-marked=\"1\"\u003eEstate of Chiura Obata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32117506179154,"sku":"OBA046","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA046.jpg?v=1585643702"},{"product_id":"obata-upper-lyell-fork-near-lyell-glacier-in-yosemite","title":"Obata: Upper Lyell Fork, near Lyell Glacier in Yosemite. (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upper Lyell Fork, near Lyell Glacier in Yosemite.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the World Landscape series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. The project employed more than 32 carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. In order to give the effect of a watercolor, scores of blocks were used for each design, and specially prepared paper was made. Reportedly 400 impressions of each of the 35 compositions were made, with only the finest 100 selected for the portfolio, and the 10,500 “less perfect” impressions were destroyed. \u003cspan\u003eProvenance: Grandchild of Chiura Obata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLiterature:\u003c\/strong\u003e “Obata’s Yosemite”, page 52.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eChiura Obata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32118861070418,"sku":"OBA049","price":22000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA049.jpg?v=1585677963"},{"product_id":"obata-watercolor-study-of-a-seated-man-1","title":"Obata: Woman seated beneath a large tree (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWoman seated beneath a large tree  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e July 23, 1934\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePainting in sumi ink of a woman seated beneath an ancient tree, perhaps on the Berkeley campus. It is possible that this work was made as a demonstration for a plein-air class he was teaching, and it is also possible that it was made for himself in one of his sketching notebooks. Obata painted and drew prodigiously to keep his skills sharp; probably every day. His family has kept the majority of his output through the decades. Chiura Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, and made many study paintings as demonstration to his students. His economy of line and mastery of the brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. Provenance: Purchased directly from a grandchild of Chiura Obata.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e Good condition overall, binding holes on right edges, stains on left of Japanese paper.           \u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e  27.3 x 39 cm              \u003cb\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrandchild of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32118890528850,"sku":"OBA047","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA047.jpg?v=1585678863"},{"product_id":"obata-painting-of-a-japanese-garden","title":"Obata: Painting of a Japanese Garden (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Painting of a Japanese Garden\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eApril 18th, 1934\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eSumi-e painting of a formal Japanese garden. We see a portion of the curved bridge and a waterfall as well as a stone lantern and blooming irises. The features all contribute to a formal (and expensive) Japanese garden. Like the garden itself, Obata has captured both the individual elements as well as the synergetic whole of the scene. As Obata was living in California at the time, it is probably from a garden in the Northern California area. It is possible that this work was made as a demonstration for a plein-air class he was teaching, and it is also possible that it was made simply for himself. Obata painted and drew prodigiously to keep his skills sharp; probably every day. His family has kept the majority of his output through the decades. Chiura Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, and made many study paintings as demonstration to his students. His economy of line and mastery of the brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. \u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Purchased directly from a grandchild of Chiura Obata.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eVery good condition. Two small discolorations, otherwise very clean.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dated by the artist\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32119047159890,"sku":"OBA048","price":2600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA048.jpg?v=1585683338"},{"product_id":"obata-large-tree-in-snow","title":"Obata: Large Tree in Snow (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Large Tree in Snow\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eCa. 1930s-40s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA deciduous tree, probably an oak, leans right, its boughs laden with snow. Obata’s economy of line and mastery of the brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. He influenced a generation of California artists, and at his own count taught more than 10,000 students. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. WIth a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent condition overall, minor creases on edges on Japanese paper.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cspan\u003eapprox 39 x 53\u003c\/span\u003e cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. WIth a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unsigned","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32166553452626,"sku":"OBA058","price":975.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA058.jpg?v=1586638674"},{"product_id":"obata-gentle-snowscape-featuring-a-covered-bridge","title":"Obata: Gentle snowscape featuring a covered bridge (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gentle snowscape featuring a covered bridge\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eCa. 1930s-40s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLarge, gentle watercolor snowscape of a covered bridge. There are only ten covered bridges left in the state of California, and none seem to match exactly the construction of this one. Although Obata has signed this using his Japanese signature, the landscape looks very much like California. Perhaps he was demonstrating how to render features of a landscape covered in snow. Chiura Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, and made many study paintings as demonstration to his students. Most of them are in sumi ink only, so this one is unusual for its use of color. His economy of line and mastery of the brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eExcellent condition overall, with a few wrinkles along edges. On imported Japanese paper.\u003c\/span\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e43.7 x 58 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. WIth a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e Obata  \u003cstrong\u003eSealed: \u003c\/strong\u003eArtist’s seal\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32229633130578,"sku":"OBA052","price":3500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA052.jpg?v=1587539184"},{"product_id":"obata-landscape-with-tree-and-hills","title":"Obata: Landscape with Tree and Hills (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eLandscape with Tree and Hills\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eOctober 7, 1946\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePainting in sumi of a tree amidst a hilly landscape. Obata utilized a deep black, with a medium grey as an accent to offer depth. This work is dated shortly after the war, when Obata had resumed his teaching schedule at Berkeley. There is a sketch titled “Near San Simeon” that is dated October 6, 1946 and published in the book “Chiura Obata: An American Modern”, number 85, page 117.  So perhaps this is a sketch that Obata made during a field excursion, or it could be a demonstration of an imagined scene for his students to demonstrate technique. Chiura Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, and made many study paintings as demonstration to his students. His economy of line and mastery of the brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eExcellent condition overall, with a few wrinkles along edges and one corner nibbled. On imported Japanese paper.\u003c\/span\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e 39.4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x 53 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. WIth a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e Chiura Obata  \u003cstrong\u003eSealed: \u003c\/strong\u003eArtist’s seal\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32229682184274,"sku":"OBA054","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA054copy.jpg?v=1587540155"},{"product_id":"obata-deer-in-garden","title":"Obata: Deer in Garden (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deer in Garden\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e c. mid 20th century\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKoi swim near a waterfall and two images of deer in this view of a Japanese garden. \u003cspan\u003e It is likely that this is the California home of a Japanese acquaintance of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent impression, color and condition.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e artist’s seal  \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15.5 x 23.3 cm\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32317148889170,"sku":"OBA044","price":550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA044copy.jpg?v=1588747575"},{"product_id":"obata-painting-of-seated-nude","title":"Obata: Painting of Seated Nude (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003ePainting of Seated Nude\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1939\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003eWatercolor study of a seated nude, seen from behind. We see a colorful robe draped to the left and a portion of the supporting structure. This work is most probably a demonstration for a figure drawing class at Berkeley. He has confidently created a figure using just a few brush strokes. Chiura Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, and made many study paintings as demonstration to his students. His economy of line and mastery of the brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent condition. Japanese paper.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e  52.8 x 40 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSealed: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChiura Obata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32354554445906,"sku":"OBA050","price":6500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA050.jpg?v=1589211515"},{"product_id":"obata-study-of-a-mountain-lion","title":"Obata:  Study of a Mountain Lion (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eStudy of a Mountain Lion\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1939\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLarge study of a lone mountain lion. The big cat faces left, and we see its long, sinuous tail come to a tuft at the end. Obata could capture the essence of almost any animal, vegetable or mineral with a few strokes of his brush. Chiura Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, and made many study paintings as demonstration to his students. His economy of line and mastery of the brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eVery good condition overall, with nibbles at corners and one at left.\u003c\/span\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e  52.8 x 40 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSealed: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtist’s seal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32354624569426,"sku":"OBA053","price":975.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA053copy.jpg?v=1589212207"},{"product_id":"obata-lake-basin-in-the-high-sierra","title":"Obata: Lake Basin in the High Sierra (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eLake Basin in the High Sierra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of Obata’s most famous printed works. According to the Obata family records, a total of 107 impressions were needed to complete the printing of this work. There are numerous progressive proof impressions for this design (at least 79), a number of which were published in “Obata’s Yosemite”. This is an artist’s proof of the completed print that comes directly from Obata’s estate, outside the Takamizawa edition of 100. The colors are brighter than those seen on many of the numbered Takamizawa impressions. The curator Janet Driesbach in “Obata’s Yosemite” even surmised that “It is possible that this first print was created without the collaboration of Takamizawa” (page 67). The colors on this example correspond almost exactly to the Achenbach example, also unsigned. Obata himself wrote about this view “For just two months in the year the nameless lake nestling at the foot of Johnson Peak in the High Sierra comes to life from its winter slumber. Rocks and five-needle pines along the shore cling to each other tightly. Countless streams run down the frozen mountainside, lending a sublime melody. Man’s very soul and body seem to melt away into the singular silence and tranquility of the surrounding air.”  From the World Landscape series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. The project employed more than 32 carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. In order to give the effect of a watercolor, scores of blocks were used for each design, and specially prepared paper was made. This example actually has brighter colors than the signed example in the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection. There is a greatly beloved large painting on silk of this scene by Obata in the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The major retrospective “Chiura Obata: American Modern” would have just finished its final stop at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on May 25, 2020.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eExcellent impression, color and condition. Expertly repaired binding holes right margin. There is the number “50” written in Japanese in the lower left corner\u003c\/span\u003e.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e  \u003cspan\u003e33.5 x 45.5 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSeries: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorld Landscape Series \u003cstrong\u003eLit\u003c\/strong\u003e: “Obata’s Yosemite”, page 61.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eUnsigned, as is common\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32450519760978,"sku":"OBA103","price":17000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA103copy.jpg?v=1590274596"},{"product_id":"obata-snow-covered-landscape-with-geologic-formation","title":"Obata: Snow-Covered Landscape with Geologic Formation (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eSibley Volcanic Preserve in the Oakland hills \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eCirca 1930s-40s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePainting in sumi of a dramatic geologic formation in a snow-covered landscape that includes a fence, clouds, and two coniferous trees. Our geologist friend Ted Dengler seems to have pinpointed this exact place for us: Sibley Volcanic Preserve in the Oakland hills (see photo). If so, it is an example of slip face in volcanic tuft. It is also possible that this is another location, as there seems to be a covering of snow, and the features could also be sand dunes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChiura Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, and made many study paintings as demonstration to his students. His economy of line and mastery of the brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eExcellent condition overall, with a few wrinkles along edges. On imported Japanese paper.\u003c\/span\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e 39.2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x 52.8 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. WIth a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e Obata (In Japanese)  \u003cstrong\u003eSealed: \u003c\/strong\u003eArtist’s seal\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32596137508946,"sku":"OBA055","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA055.jpg?v=1592414006"},{"product_id":"obata-painting-of-photographer-in-a-park","title":"Obata: Painting of Photographer in a Park (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003ePainting of Photographer in a Park\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate: \u003c\/strong\u003eOctober 7th, 1940\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePainting in sumi (ink) of a parklike setting, perhaps part of the campus of UC Berkeley. We see trees of various sizes and shapes lining a path that seems to have a few bicyclists in the distance as well as several pedestrians in the foreground. Closest to us is a man who look to be reading a paper, and further along seem to be two men who are focused on a camera with a tripod. This comes from one of Obata’s sketchbooks that contained a great variety of scenes; perhaps he kept it with him most of the time. Obata’s economy of line and mastery of the Japanese-style brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, where he influenced a generation of California artists, and at his own count taught more than 10,000 students. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eExcellent condition overall, with a few wrinkles along edges. Binding holes along top and a minor stain at bottom edge.\u003c\/span\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e 39\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x 27.5 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. WIth a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e Chiura Obata, also dated by the artist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32633252053074,"sku":"OBA062","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA062copy.jpg?v=1593208269"},{"product_id":"obata-waves-hillside-and-pines","title":"Obata: Waves, Hillside and Pines (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eWaves, Hillside and Pines\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eSept 10th 1936\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWaves break against a smooth boulder, with pine trees seen at either side. Chiura Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, and made many study paintings as demonstration to his students. This work is very clearly for a specific class, as the artist wrote “Art 2a Sec 1” and dated the work “Sept 10th 1936”, lower left. His economy of line and mastery of the brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. He influenced a generation of California artists, and at his own count taught more than 10,000 students. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eExcellent condition overall, with a few wrinkles along edges. On imported Japanese paper.\u003c\/span\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 52.7 \u003cspan\u003ex 39.1 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. WIth a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eUnsigned; noted in the artist’s hand “Art 2a Sec 1”\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32669907255378,"sku":"OBA057","price":2200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA057copy.jpg?v=1594234967"},{"product_id":"obata-watercolor-of-purple-flowers","title":"Obata: Watercolor of Purple Spiderwort Flowers (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eWatercolor of Purple Flowers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eMay 21st, 1944\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eTradescantia occidentalis, or western Spiderwort. Obata’s wife Haruko was one of the first teachers of ikebana in the San Francisco Bay Area, and wrote “An Illustrated Handbook of Japanese Flower Arrangement” (Berkeley 1940). This book featured numerous ink illustrations by Chiura.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eSeveral similar watercolor portraits of flowers are shown in recently published book “Chiura Obata: An American Modern” (UCal Press, 2018) on pages 60-63. At the time of this painting,\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eMay of 1944, the Obatas were living in Saint Louis following their release from internment at the Topaz War Relocation Center. He was reinstated as an instructor at UC Berkeley in 1945. Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, and made many study paintings as demonstration to his students. The University of California, Berkeley preserved many of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. Recent exhibitions of Obata’s works have been taken place at the Smithsonian Institution, which would have closed in May of 2020. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. Includes a Certificate of Authenticity from the estate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent condition overall.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 46.5 \u003cspan\u003ex 33.2 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. Includes a Certificate of Authenticity from the Estate of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eChiura Obata \u003cstrong\u003e Seal: \u003c\/strong\u003eArtists seal\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32706440757330,"sku":"OBA106","price":3900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA106copy.jpg?v=1595388831"},{"product_id":"obata-brush-drawing-of-a-seated-model","title":"Obata: Brush Drawing of a Seated Model (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan mce-data-marked=\"1\"\u003eBrush Drawing of a Seated Woman\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate: \u003c\/strong\u003eSeptember 25th, 1941\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSumi-e brush drawing of a seated model, posed for a class beside a hydrangea and a book. There was a platform for models in Obata’s classroom, and she sits on the step leading to the platform. She wears what seems to be Spanish-style clothing, with a scarf covering her hair, a full skirt and low-heeled slippers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e This comes from one of Obata’s sketchbooks that contained a great variety of scenes; perhaps he kept it with him most of the time. Obata’s economy of line and mastery of the Japanese-style brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, where he influenced a generation of California artists, and at his own count taught more than 10,000 students. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eExcellent condition overall, with a few wrinkles along edges. Binding holes along top. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e 39\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e x 27.5 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. WIth a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003e Chiura Obata, also dated by the artist\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":33068158222418,"sku":"OBA063","price":1600.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA063copy.jpg?v=1604282535"},{"product_id":"obata-a-kitty-dozes-beneath-a-flowering-tree-in-a-garden","title":"Obata: Cat in a Japanese Garden (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e A kitty dozes beneath a flowering tree in a Japanese garden\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e c. mid 20th C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA kitty dozes beneath a flowering tree in a beautiful Japanese garden. Most likely a trial proof for a print that was later titled “Early Summer Breeze at Shiho En.” Although most of Obata's prints are scenes of California, this is a Japanese style garden with what looks to be a Japanese cottage in the distance, so perhaps the setting is indeed Japan. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent impression, color and condition. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":33127364690002,"sku":"OBA013S","price":875.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA013copy.jpg?v=1605938256"},{"product_id":"obata-view-of-mt-tamalpais-across-the-san-francisco-bay","title":"Obata: View of Mt Tamalpais across the San Francisco Bay (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eView of Mount Tamalpais from Point San Pablo across San Francisco Bay\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Undated; ca. 1930s-40s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eObata climbed the bluffs near the beach on Point San Pablo to capture this sumi ink painting of Mount Tamalpais across the expanse of San Francisco Bay. The large tanks in the hills at right may still be seen today. In pencil lower right the words are not very legible, but seem to read “Water No. 4 “and “Bay and ----”.  Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, and made many study paintings as demonstration to his students. Obata ground his own inks, always using the finest Japanese materials that he sourced in Japan. His economy of line and mastery of Japanese-style brushwork are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. The University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. Includes a Certificate of Authenticity from the estate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eVery good condition overall. Some light creasing and rubbing. \u003cspan\u003eOn imported Japanese paper.\u003c\/span\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 39 x 52.3 \u003cspan\u003e cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. Includes a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Artist's seal, lower right, in red","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39259530559570,"sku":"OBA108","price":3500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA108.jpg?v=1615081658"},{"product_id":"chiura-obata-view-of-mt-tamalpais-across-the-san-francisco-bay","title":"Obata: Snow-laden Pines on a Mountain Slope Ink Painting (SOLD)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSnow-Laden Pines on a Mountain Slope in the High Sierra\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Undated; ca. 1930s-40s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSumi painting on paper of two snow-laden pine trees on a steep mountain slope. Although he might have painted this from memory, the scene is characteristic of the landscapes that he visited often in the High Sierra. The weathered pine in the foreground seems to be missing most of its windward branches and needles, but it holds its ground on the mountain slope. Obata has used a rather large brush to capture the essence of forms in just a few strokes. It is probable that this is a teaching\/exhibition work, as Obata has not identified the place nor dated the work. Obata’s training in sumi painting began in Japan at the age of seven. He wrote that there were three disciplines essential to the practice of sumi-e, beginning with “Before the student touches a brush to paper, his mind must be as tranquil as the surface of a calm, undisturbed lake.” (See Chiura Obata: An American Modern, page 71.) Obata’s economy of line and mastery of the Japanese brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. He influenced a generation of California artists, and at his own count taught more than 10,000 students. The University of California, Berkeley, where he taught for almost 20 years, preserved all of his paintings and sketches while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. Includes a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eExcellent condition overall, with pin holes near corners and small tear at bottom.. Some wrinkles, mostly from the watercolor process. Obata used Japanese paper that he ordered from Japan.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 52.5 x 39 cm \u003cspan\u003e cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. Includes a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Signed Chiura Obata and Artist's seal, lower right, in red","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39259532230738,"sku":"OBA067","price":4500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA067.jpg?v=1615011840"},{"product_id":"obata-cascades-waterfall-yosemite-painting-on-silk-1","title":"Obata: Cascades Waterfall, Yosemite Silk Painting (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cascades Waterfall, Yosemite (Painting on Silk)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Undated, ca. 1940s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eImportant painting of two pines holding their ground in front of a Yosemite waterfall. The Cascades is the first major waterfall one encounters when entering Yosemite Valley via the Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite National Park. The falls occur at the merging of Cascade Creek and Tamarack Creek, and the drop of the falls is more than 500 feet. There are no trails that allow for a vista of the entire falls, so Obata must have hiked out onto the granite slopes nearby, sketchbook in hand. Obata has done justice to the falls, capturing the majesty of the vista, with the streaming water and mist masterfully depicted with almost no color at all, using negative space. Obata has rendered the rocks, the mist and the pine tree each with distinctive types of brushstrokes that give each element its own character.  Obata also seems to have added mica to the silk, as there is an extra sparkle that enlivens the surface of the work. Obata began his sumi-e training in Japan at the age of seven, and he learned how to create “color” variations using only black ink for the first seven years of his training. Obata also painted and sketched on paper every day of his life to keep the fluid precision of his brush through the decades of his career. However, formal works like this one on silk are surprisingly scarce. Provenance: Garzoli Gallery, San Rafael. This work is sold together with a custom frame that has hand-carved elements and a green silk mat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50 x 39.5 cm (plus mat and frame)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Artist’s seal\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very good condition. Sold with its handmade custom frame.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39259534786642,"sku":"OBA019S","price":35000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA019S.jpg?v=1615081014"},{"product_id":"obata-evening-glow-at-lyell-fork-tuolumne-meadows-yosemite","title":"Obata: Evening Glow at Lyell Fork, Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite (SOLD)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (1885-1875)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle: \u003c\/strong\u003eEvening Glow at Lyell Fork, Tuolumne Meadows\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAstonishing watercolor-like image of a brilliant sunset sky above Tuolumne Meadow in Yosemite, brought to life as a print from 123 separate woodblock printings. Obata himself wrote of the scene “Man stands enthralled at the sight of the evening glow at Lyell Fork during the late summer when, for only a moment, the streaks of clouds in the sky are transformed to bars of brilliant gold. Tamarack [lodgepole] pines growing in profusion along the fork darken their shadows as the evening deepens. The Lyell Fork River runs southwest to the northwest of Tuolumne Meadows, the highest plateau in the Sierra.” (See Obata’s Yosemite, page 113). From the World Landscape series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. The project employed more than 32 Japanese carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. In order to give the effect of a watercolor, scores of blocks were used for each design, and specially prepared paper was made. This dealer considers this series to be the finest examples of woodblock printing in the 20th century. The major retrospective “Chiura Obata: American Modern” would have just finished its final stop at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on May 25, 2020. Provenance: From the estate of Chiura Obata.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLiterature: \u003c\/strong\u003e“Obata’s Yosemite” 1993, page 113. See Whitney Museum of American Art, Smithsonian American Museum of Art. Another example was exhibited at the Whitney in 2015-2016.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Signed in ink \"Chiura Obata\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39259603468370,"sku":"OBA107","price":22000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA107.jpg?v=1614980044"},{"product_id":"obata-before-singing-madame-talia-savanieva","title":"Obata: Before Singing--Madame Talia Savanieva (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Before Singing: Madame Talia Savanieva\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegal portrait in profile of Madame Talia Savanieva, an opera diva who sang in San Francisco in the late 1920s. In 1924 Obata designed the scenery and costumes of \u003cem\u003eMadame Butterfly\u003c\/em\u003e for the San Francisco Opera. The details of her skin and hair are so fine that this work appears to be painted on silk, although it is actually printed on paper. Her earring features gold printing. From the World Landscape series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. The project employed more than 32 carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. According to the Takamizawa pamphlet on this series, this work required 110 separate print impressions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eExcellent impression, color and condition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 45.3 x 33.2 cm\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unsigned, as is common\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLiterature:\u003c\/strong\u003e See “Chiura Obata: American Modern”, page 8, page 47. It is impossible to tell from the plate if this is the print or the painting that it is based on.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39259605860434,"sku":"OBA017S","price":4900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA017S.jpg?v=1614979923"},{"product_id":"obata-lake-mary-inyo-national-forest","title":"Obata: Lake Mary, Inyo National Forest (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lake Mary, Inyo National Forest\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 33.1 x 45.4 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe feel the cool isolation in this view of Lake Mary in Mammoth Lakes, California. Obata himself is quoted in “Obata’s Yosemite” (1993): “Silence reigns supreme here around Mammoth Lakes in the High Sierra. In the lakes are found trees standing dead, lonely, and silent. Crisp, chilly morning breezes blow softly, caressing the surface of the icy water.” Interest in Obata’s prints from this series has skyrocketed recently, propelled by several recent exhibitions that include the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art. The Whitney has an example of this work in its permanent collection; its colors are nearly identical to the colors in this example. There is no difference in quality between signed and unsigned works from this series. Many museum examples are unsigned as here, including the set in the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco (Achenbach); and there are no posthumous or later editions of these works. In the Takamizawa booklet that was published with information on this set, this work required 112 separate printings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLiterature: \u003c\/strong\u003eShown in “Obata’s Yosemite”, page 119. Whitney Museum of American Art; see collection online.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unsigned, as is common\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent impression, color and condition.","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39261510303826,"sku":"OBA010S","price":15000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA010S.jpg?v=1615010230"},{"product_id":"obata-lake-basin-in-the-high-sierra-sold","title":"Obata: Lake Basin in the High Sierra (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lake Basin in the High Sierra\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOne of Obata’s most famous printed works. According to the family records, a total of 107 impressions were needed to complete the printing of this work. There are numerous progressive proof impressions for this design (at least 79), a number of which were published in “Obata’s Yosemite”.The printing was supervised by Obata and the Master Printers Masuro, Tadao, and Takaaki Takazamizawa at the Takamizawa Print Works in Japan. There is a detailed description of the printing of this image in the book \"Obata's Yosemite...\" by Janice Driesbach and Susan Landauer, Yosemite Association, 1993 on pages 60 through 67, which includes 9 color reproductions of 9 of the 106 states. The colors on this example correspond almost exactly to the Smithsonian example, also unsigned. Obata himself wrote about this view “For just two months in the year the nameless lake nestling at the foot of Johnson Peak in the High Sierra comes to life from its winter slumber. Rocks and five-needle pines along the shore cling to each other tightly. Countless streams run down the frozen mountainside, lending a sublime melody. Man’s very soul and body seem to melt away into the singular silence and tranquility of the surrounding air.”\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eFrom the World Landscape series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. The project employed more than 32 carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. In order to give the effect of a watercolor, scores of blocks were used for each design, and specially prepared paper was made. There is a greatly beloved large painting on silk of this scene by Obata in the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The major retrospective “Chiura Obata: American Modern” would have just finished its final stop at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on May 25, 2020.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLiterature:\u003c\/strong\u003e “Obata’s Yosemite”, page 61.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unsigned, as is common\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39261520003154,"sku":"OBA015S","price":20000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA015S.jpg?v=1615009477"},{"product_id":"obata-before-the-rain-mono-lake-sold","title":"Obata: Before the Rain, Mono Lake (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Before the Rain, Mono Lake\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe apogee of 20th century woodblock printmaking. This nuanced, rapturous distillation of beauty conveys how powerfully Obata was connected to the spiritual essence of the California landscape. One of the best designs in the series. From the World Landscape series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards in collaboration with the Japanese publisher Takamizawa. The project employed more than 32 carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. According to Takamizawa records, this design required 120 separate printing impressions. In “Obata’s Yosemite” (1993), the following text by Obata is quoted: “Mono Lake shows a maidenly beauty when it is still and quiet. Trembling, the lake awaits the approaching rain, the clouds of which hover over the distant mountain ridges.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLiterature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shown in “Obata’s Yosemite”, page 19.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unsigned, as is common\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39261520461906,"sku":"OBA012S","price":26000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA012Snew.jpg?v=1615008917"},{"product_id":"obata-evening-glow-at-mono-lake-from-mono-mills-sold","title":"Obata: Evening Glow at Mono Lake, from Mono Mills (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evening Glow at Mono Lake, from Mono Mills.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn almost mystical glow emanates from the sky, lending this work deep emotional resonance, similar to that of a painting by Rothko. This is one of the finest designs from the “World Landscape Series: America”, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. The project, in collaboration with the Japanese publisher Takamizawa, employed more than 32 carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. In “Obata’s Yosemite”, the artist himself is quoted: “The last glow of the dying day enfolds the storied Mono Lake and its surroundings with mysterious tints and hues.” An impression of this work was shown at the Whitney Museum’s inaugural exhibition “America Is Hard to See” in 2015.  Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, and The University of California, Berkeley preserved many of his paintings while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. There is no difference in quality between signed and unsigned works from this series. Many museum examples are unsigned as here, including the set in the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco (Achenbach); and there are no later editions of these works. According to Takamizawa records, this work required 130 separate printing impressions. Scarce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLiterature: \u003c\/strong\u003eShown in “Obata’s Yosemite”, page 115. See “Chiura Obata: An American Modern” (2018) for a discussion of this series, page 25. See FAMSF and Whitney Museum as well as the Smithsonian American Art Museum online for their examples.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unsigned, as is common\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39262602264658,"sku":"OBA014S","price":29000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA014Scopy.jpg?v=1615077436"},{"product_id":"obata-passing-rain","title":"Obata: Passing Rain (High Sierra, USA) (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Passing Rain (High Sierra, USA)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dark curtain of falling mist passes above a colorful riverbed in the Sierra Nevada. Obata himself wrote “Upon the clear, mirrorlike sky appear lumps of rain clouds, which sail speedily over the mountains watering all things beneath as they go by and refreshing all.” (Obata’s Yosemite, page 32). Afternoon rainfall in the Sierra Nevada was among the artist’s favorite themes. In person, it seems almost impossible for the sky to have been produced from a series of woodblocks, but this series accomplished unprecedented effects with this medium. From the World Landscape series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. The project employed more than 32 carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. According to the Takamizawa booklet on the series, this work required 114 hand printings. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. Unsigned, as usual. Scarce. \u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLiterature: \u003c\/strong\u003e“Obata’s Yosemite”, page 61. See “Chiura Obata: An American Modern”, page 85, fig. 53.See the Achenbach Foundation for the Graphic Arts online,\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eSee also Smithsonian American Art Museum online.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unsigned, as is common\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39262602559570,"sku":"OBA109","price":24000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA109copy.jpg?v=1615080065"},{"product_id":"obata-setting-sun-in-the-sacramento-valley","title":"Obata: Setting Sun in the Sacramento Valley (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Setting Sun in the Sacramento Valley\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930 \u003cstrong\u003e Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 46.2 x 34 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA blazingly visionary and transcendent rendering of a sunset sky in the Sacramento Valley. Obata has depicted the flat valley as if a great ocean, and the mountains in the distance appear as floating islands. Obata described the extraordinary array of cloud formations above, illuminated by orange, gold, and purple light, as “a forest of fire in the sky, with its devilish flames roaring across the heavens.’” This work is based on the monumental painting on silk from 1922 that was recently included in the 2020 retrospective “Chiura Obata: An American Modern” that toured five cities around the world. From the World Landscape: America series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. The project employed more than 32 carvers and 40 printers for eighteen months. Each of the finished prints in the series required between 120 and 205 separate hand printings, and some required fifteen to twenty blocks to replicate a single brushstroke. These works represent the absolute apogee of the art of color woodblock printing in the 20th century. 34 of the 35 prints in the series show California landscapes. In a subtle touch that can only be seen in person, in this design there are golden details in the clouds above the horizon that appear to be the result of tiny brushstrokes--they are printed. According to the Takamizawa booklet on the series, this work required 135 hand printings. Unsigned, as usual. Scarce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unsigned, as is common\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very good impression, color and condition. Paper with light toning.","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39262602788946,"sku":"OBA018S","price":25000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA018Scopy.jpg?v=1615078326"},{"product_id":"obata-foggy-morning-van-ness-avenue-san-francisco","title":"Obata: Foggy Morning, Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foggy Morning, Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSilver mist enhances the pervading fog in this minimalist scene of Obata’s adoptive city. The street is deserted save for a man and his horse-drawn dray cart, which makes the scene feel more lonely than if it were entirely empty. The exact location of this scene is difficult for this non-native to place, although we seem to be near the crest of a hill, and the spire at left might belong to what was St. Brigid's Catholic Church, which would make this near the corner of Broadway. \u003c\/span\u003eFrom the World Landscape series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. With this series Obata replicated the effect of watercolor paintings in a way that had never been attempted before, and he chose many scenes that would be seemingly impossible to translate with woodblocks, as this one. According to the Takamizawa booklet that was printed with this series in English, this print required 90 impressions. In this example we can see the brushstrokes that were used for the surface application of sparkling mica that was applied over the surface of the entire print. An example of this print was recently acquired by the Whitney Museum of American Art. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Artist's seal in red, lower right corner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eExcellent impression, color and condition. Two binding holes in right margin have been expertly repaired. The number 52 is written in Japanese in the lower left corner, possibly by Obata himself.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLiterature:\u003c\/strong\u003e See the Whitney Museum of American Art online,  accession number 2015.11. See also the Achenbach Foundation of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39421397794898,"sku":"OBA110","price":9500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA110.jpg?v=1621575205"},{"product_id":"obata-spring-rain-berkeley-california","title":"Obata: Spring Rain, Berkeley, California (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring Rain, Berkeley, California\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eStorm clouds fill the sky and release fine patterns of rain onto this time capsule-like scene of a street in Berkeley, California. Obata began teaching at UC Berkeley in 1932, and beginning in 1930, numerous successful exhibitions of his work were mounted. No doubt alumni of the University would know this street and view; it must be close to the campus of UC Berkeley. A line of sleek automobiles is is glimpsed at left; they seem to be very streamlined. This is an extremely rare print; only one other example could be found, in the collection of the Achenbach at the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, where they have the complete set of this series. From the World Landscape: America series, the groundbreaking effort that Obata spent all his savings on creating with the highest possible standards. Each of the finished prints in the series required up to 205 separate hand printings, and some required fifteen to twenty blocks to replicate a single brushstroke. These works represent the absolute apogee of the art of color woodblock printing in the 20th century. 34 of the 35 prints in the series show California landscapes. According to the Takamizawa booklet on the series, this work required 130 hand printings to create. Unsigned, as usual. Scarce. Provenance: The estate of Chiura Obata.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takamizawa\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Artist's seal in red, lower right corner \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eExcellent impression, color and condition. Two binding holes in top margin have been expertly repaired. The number 17 is written in Japanese in the lower left corner, possibly by Obata himself.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLiterature:\u003c\/strong\u003e See the Achenbach Foundation of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e: 45.5 x 33.8 cm","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39423966576722,"sku":"OBA111","price":6500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA111.jpg?v=1621749677"},{"product_id":"obata-pines-at-point-lobos-california","title":"Obata: Sea, Cliff and Pines at Point Lobos, California (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCliff and Pine Trees at Point Lobos\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Undated; ca. 1930s-40s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThree seabirds (cormorants?) fly near steep cliffs and pounding surf, the location undoubtedly the California coast, and presumably Point Lobos, which was a favored subject of the artist. Sumi (ink) Painting on Japanese paper. Obata taught at Berkeley between 1932 and 1954, and he made many study paintings as demonstration to his students. His economy of line and mastery of Japanese-style brushwork are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art, perhaps because he trained with the brush in Japan beginning at the tender age of seven. Obata also imported all of his supplies from Japan, both high-quality inks and paper.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eThe University of California, Berkeley preserved all of his paintings while Obata and his family were unjustly interned in Utah during WWII.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eThe recent retrospective, “Chiura Obata: An American Modern”, recently toured five museums, concluding at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC in 2019. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. Includes a Certificate of Authenticity from the estate.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eObata wrote that there were three disciplines essential to the practice of sumi-e, beginning with “Before the student touches a brush to paper, his mind must be as tranquil as the surface of a calm, undisturbed lake.” (See Chiura Obata: An American Modern, page 71.) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eExcellent condition overall.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 52.8 x 39.5 cm \u003cspan\u003e cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. Includes a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Signed Chiura Obata and Artist's seal, lower right, in red\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLiterature: \u003c\/strong\u003eFor similar paintings, see “Chiura Obata: An American Modern” (2018, UCSB), pages 117, 118 and others.","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39428486922322,"sku":"OBA113","price":4500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA113.jpg?v=1622000696"},{"product_id":"obata-golden-pavilion-in-snow","title":"Obata: Golden Pavilion in Snow (Sold)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small print of Japan's Golden Pavilion in Snow\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e c. mid 20th C\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 23 x 7.4 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWoodblock print showing what seems to be Japan’s famous Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) in Kyoto. This structure burned down in 1950 and was rebuilt in 1955; perhaps this commemorates the rebuilding or is simply a classic Japanese scene that Obata made for friends as a holiday greeting or as a commission for a friend. Obata designed a number of these smaller prints over the years. This design is quite scarce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent impression, color and condition. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata (in block)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39716277092434,"sku":"OBA041","price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA041.jpg?v=1639343832"},{"product_id":"chiura-obata-two-pencil-studies-of-seated-men","title":"Chiura Obata:  Two Pencil Studies of a Seated Worker (SOLD)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eTwo Pencil Studies of a Seated Maintenance Worker at UC Berkeley\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ca. 1930s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eTwo pencil studies of a workman holding either a dowels or some other item of construction. This was likely a moment in time that captured Obata’s attention, as he was constantly practicing his technique with both brush and pencil. The man appears to be part of the maintenance or gardening crew at UC Berkeley, where Obata taught painting  between 1932 and 1954. Obata seemed to make pencil drawings like this for his own personal pleasure and not as part of his class demonstrations, where he taught brush painting. There is one pencil sketch published in “Chiura Obata: An American Modern”, figure 33. These pencil drawings are smaller than his sumi-e paintings for demonstration, and they are on paper that seems to be domestic rather than Japanese, and from a notebook.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eObata’s economy of line and mastery of the brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. The University of California, Berkeley preserved many of his artworks while Obata and his family were interned in Utah during WWII. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. Includes a Certificate of Authenticity from the Estate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eExcellent condition overall. With tiny rubber remnants along the top from the original notebook binding.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 35.5 x 45.4 cm\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39734196928594,"sku":"OBA093","price":1200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA093.jpg?v=1640711728"},{"product_id":"obata-watercolor-study-of-a-three-students-holding-hands","title":"Obata: Watercolor of Three Berkeley Students In Various Poses (SOLD)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle: \u003c\/strong\u003eWatercolor of Three Students Holding Hands\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e ca. late 1940s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSumi and watercolor painting of three students. The two men have joined hands with the woman, but they are seated on three different levels and are taking three different poses. The woman wears a brown skirt and a yellow top and leans on the platform where a man with glasses and a blue suit is seated. A second man stretches out on the ground, propped up against an unseen wall, his legs outstretched. Perhaps here Obata is focused on demonstrating the way that clothing drapes and catches the light for his students, as this is most likely a demonstration painting for one of his many art classes at Berkeley, where he taught between and 1932 and 1954. Obata’s economy of line and mastery of the Japanese brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. He influenced a generation of California artists, and at his own count taught more than 10,000 students. The University of California, Berkeley preserved many of his paintings and sketches while Obata and his family were interned in Utah at Topaz during WWII. There is a sumi painting of three students published in \"Chiura Obata: American Modern\" (by ShiPu Wang), page 48, plate 10. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. With a certificate of authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eExcellent condition overall. With pinholes in upper corners, probably from being displayed in the classroom. On heavy, absorbent Japanese paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e  52.7 x 39.2 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39734254338130,"sku":"OBA091","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA091.jpg?v=1640711946"},{"product_id":"obata-watercolor-of-three-berkeley-students-in-various-poses","title":"Obata: Watercolor of Three Berkeley Students Joined in a Circle (SOLD)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chiura Obata   (1885-1975)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTitle: \u003c\/strong\u003eWatercolor of Three Students in an Embrace\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e ca. late 1940s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWatercolor of two women and a man joined in a circle. They pose outside,\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ebeneath a tree, and the ground has been depicted by the artist with many hues, so perhaps it is springtime. These must be students at Berkeley, modeling for one of Obata’s painting classes. One woman wears oxfords and one wears pumps. Their heads are slightly bowed, as if joined in prayer. From their clothes it would appear to be some time in the 1940s, after Obata’s return to Berkeley at the end of the war. We can safely assume that this is a demonstration painting for one of his many art classes at Berkeley, where he taught between and 1932 and 1954. Obata’s economy of line and mastery of the Japanese brush are practically unequalled in 20th c. American art. He influenced a generation of California artists, and at his own count taught more than 10,000 students. The University of California, Berkeley preserved many of his paintings and sketches while Obata and his family were interned in Utah at Topaz during WWII. There is a sumi painting of three students published in \"Chiura Obata: American Modern\" (by ShiPu Wang), page 48, plate 10. Provenance: Estate of Chiura Obata. With a Certificate of Authenticity from the estate of the artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eExcellent condition overall. With pinholes in upper corners, probably from being displayed in the classroom. On heavy, absorbent Japanese paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e  52.7 x 39.2 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chiura Obata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39734260465746,"sku":"OBA090","price":1900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/products\/OBA090.jpg?v=1640711390"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0079\/3388\/6546\/collections\/OBA006CropA.jpg?v=1585269358","url":"https:\/\/egenolfgallery.com\/collections\/obata\/cats.oembed","provider":"Egenolf Gallery Japanese Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}