Kiyochika: Mud on Her Face from Kiyochika Punch (Sold)

Artist: Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915)
Title: Satirical View of the Ushijima Shrine, Sumida, Tokyo)
Series: Kiyochika Punch (Kiyochika ponchi)
Date: Ca. 1881

It is a festival day in spring, and a woman has fallen into deep mud near the Sumida riverbank; she flags down a passing man, who wears a mask and holds a festival decoration. The items around the title cartouche include small fish and cherry blossoms.

This is undoubtedly a political satire, but the subjects are lost to time. This series marked a watershed in Kiyochika’s career, when he shifted from portraying landscapes to comic and historical prints. This series was modeled on the English Punch, and eleven works are known from the series.

Condition: Excellent good impression, color and condition. .
Dimensions: ôban (37 x 25 cm)
Publisher: Kobayashi Tetsujirô
Signature: Kobayashi Kiyochika (in margin)

SKU: KYC435