| | |
| Artist: | Kato Eika (1869-1942 watercolour) |
| Title: | Junk in a Harbour |
| Series: | |
| Date of first edition?: | 1911 |
| Publisher (first edition)?: | Self |
| Publisher (this edition)?: | Self |
| Medium (first edition): | Watercolour |
| Medium (this edition): | Watercolour |
| Format (first edition): | Large Oban
|
| Format (this edition): | Large Oban |
| DB artwork code: | 43211 |
| Notes (first edition)?: |
A fine Japanese watercolour of a sailboat anchored in calm, misty blue waters. It is signed E. Kato.
Marks: Signed lower left E. Kato / 1911.
Dimensions: 12 3/4" x 19 1/4".
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
1911 JAPANESE FRAMED WATERCOLOR SHIP BY E. KATO
Presented is a lovely Japanese watercolor by E. Kato. The watercolor is of a traditional Japanese ship harbored in calm waters. The stillness of the ship is echoed in the quiet silhouette of a bent fisherman rowing his small boat around the ship. The dark wooden frame appears to be original to the painting.
The painting is signed E Kato and dated 1911. An advertisement for an art exhibit in Cambridge, Massachusetts that featured E. Kato is affixed to the back of the painting. The ad reads, “Edo Gallery Traditional Art of Japan: Exhibition of Turn-of-the-Century watercolors, Featuring E. Kato.” This particular painting may not have featured in the exhibition, but highlights the importance of the pre-War Japanese watercolor artists.
The condition is excellent. The painting is in great shape. The painting does not appear to be backed with acid-free paper, and should be re-backed to prevent discoloration to the watercolor paper. We are leaving this up to the new owner, and have not taken the frame apart. There is a little tape residue on the frame, but this can be cleaned up.
The frame measures about 21 inches by 14 inches. |
|
| Notes (this edition)?: |
| The following information was taken from the original web listing of this artwork. Note that there may be some inaccuracies:
EARLY JAPANESE WESTERN STYLE WATERCOLOR SIGNED E. KATO
Offered in this sale is a fine Japanese watercolor of a Japanese sailboat anchored in calm, misty blue waters. It is signed E. Kato, and dated 1911, and appears to be in its original Japanese soft wood frame with raised grain. Just as Japanese block prints influenced western artists; western impressionism influenced a group of Japanese painters, E. Kato among them. The Japanese themes and sensibility these artists brought to their works is amazing, and unfortunately continues to be under valued. They were very popular with American Arts & Crafts designers, and show up frequently in Arts & Crafts interiors of the period.
Dimensions: Image 12 3/4" x 19 1/4", frame 14 1/2" x 21"
Condition: Excellent, undisturbed in original frame with original Japanese cardboard backing. No staining or damage of any kind. The finish on the frame has sustained some light surface damage which could easily be restored.
|
|
| Artist Bio: |
1869, April - Born Saichiro Kato, he took Eika Kato as a pseudonym.
1886 - Learnt watercolor painting from Toru Azukisawa.
1888 - Moved to Yokohama.
1889 - Learnt Japanese style painting techniques from Beisen Kubota.
1892, September - Married Kiku Tanaka.
1909, March - Announced an exhibition of 50 watercolours.
1910~ - Extend over several decades, painted watercolours in Hong Kong.
1942, September - Died at the age of 74. Buried in Kuboyama cemetery.
|
|
