Yoshitoshi 芳年: Triptych of Swimming Carp (SOLD)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) 芳年
Title: Triptych of Swimming Carp
Date: 1889, 5th month

Triptych of Carp Swimming Beneath Wisteria. A cluster of Koi are shown swimming beneath wisteria in crystal-clear water. Yoshitoshi has captured the buoyancy, forms and movements of these large fish with accuracy, the water only hinted at, appearing as soft blue eddies. This seems to be Yoshitoshi’s only major design that is devoid of human figures, although each koi does have something of a personality. One koi breaks the surface at left, perhaps seeking some koi food. For decades this was considered Yoshitoshi’s greatest triptych design, especially in Japan. Scarce. 

Condition: Excellent impression. Very good color and condition. Minor trimming, although the important whisker of the dark koi in the middle sheet is still extant on the left sheet. Some soiling.
Dimensions: ôban triptych 35.7 x 72 cm
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon
Literature: “Beauty & Violence”, number 66, page 144. See Philadelphia Museum of Art, Minneapolis Institute of Art
Seal: Yoshitoshi
Signature: Yoshitoshi ga

SKU: YOCS068