Shibata Zeshin: Morning Glory Vine (Sold)

Artist: Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891)
Title: Blooming Daffodils
Series: Hana kurabe (A Comparison of Flowers)
Date: 1877

A fresh purple morning glory bloom with green leaves sprout from a vine that also shows seed pods and last season’s leaves on the same vine. This is an early impression of this work, with very vibrant colors. Zeshin has signed this work with his age, so perhaps he is also inferring that fresh ideas can spring from life in the autumn years? The series Hana Kurabe was published between 1875 and 1890 in ten groups of 12 prints each, and showcase Zeshin’s terrific mastery of the Rimpa style as well as his sly sense of humor. Zeshin was considered one of the greatest lacquer artists of all time, and he was a superlative painter as well.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Mint.
Dimensions: chûban (18.7 x 25.3 cm)
Publisher: Shogyokudo
Signature: Seventy-one Year old Zeshin 

Literature: See website of the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

SKU: ZES037