Obata: Before Singing--Madame Talia Savanieva

Artist: Chiura Obata (1885-1975)
Title: Before Singing: Madame Talia Savanieva  Date: 1930

Regal 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 Madame Butterfly 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 details that appear to be made from gold leaf. The background surrounding her profile also features a soft golden wash. According to the Takamizawa booklet, this work required 110 separate printing impressions. 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. Verso this work is stamped “Made and Printed in Japan at Takamizawa Color-Print Studio” and numbered “No. 16”: the numbering is unusual for works from this series. Signed and dated in grey ink by Obata.

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. Slight toning to paper and minor tape damage to upper right corner. Minor original mounting remnants, verso.  Dimensions: 45.5 x 33.3 cm
Publisher: Takamizawa
Signature: Chiura Obata 
Literature: See “Chiura Obata: American Modern”, page 8, page 47. 

SKU: OBA146