Yoshimuni: Nocturne of Fishing Boat Beneath Bridge (Sold)

Artist: Arai Yoshimune (1863-1941)
Title: Nocturne of Fishing Boat Beneath a Bridge
Date: ca. early 1930s
Size: 25.5 x 18.6 cm

In a terrifically Whistler-esqe nocturne we see a fishermen tying up his net, a fire to attract fish burning in a basket over the bow. Above we see pedestrians crossing a bridge, all seen in silhouette. Whistler was of course influenced by Japanese prints, and this print is almost a dead ringer for Whistler’s famous “Nocturne: Blue and Gold--Old Battersea Bridge” (Tate London) from 1872, whose influence is always credited to Japanese prints, of which Whistler was an avid collector. We could say that Hokusai influenced Whistler, who in term influenced this Japanese artist in this composition, in a kind of double reverse influencing. This work has the “Made in Japan” seal that was only used in the late 1920s and early 1930s, so it is an early edition.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition. Minor toning verso, not seen from recto.
Publisher: Hasegawa (Nishinomiya)
Literature: The Austrian Museum of Applied Arts has this work in their collection.

SKU: YMC011S