Mod Sanctuary Antiques and Fine Art Gallery

SCARCE UTAGAWA KUNISIDA, TOYOKUNI III (JAPAN, 1786-1865) EARLY to MID 19TH CENTURY SIGNED, ASSEMBLED 'UKIYO-E' FIGURATIVE TRIPTYCH of PALACE VERANDA SCENE, with THREE INDIVIDUAL COLOR PRINTS, STAMPED & SIGNED with

PUBLISHER'S RED SEAL & ARTIST'S

SIGNATURE in JAPANESE HIEROGLYPHS, PRINTED on MULBERRY PAPER (UNFRAMED)

[Estate fresh & found in a Boston-area finely appointed estate out of frame in a closed folio, allowing the ink colors to remain nearly fully saturated, with intense, vivid colors]

(Circa 1820-1850)

Early to mid-19th century Japanese Ukiyo-E, figurative color woodblock print, assembled triptychs of imperial palace scenes

DIMENSIONS:

29" full Length (assembled triptych) x 13" Height

(9 5⁄8" Width, individual prints)

DESCRIPTION:

Offered for your review and consideration is this absolutely magnificent, estate fresh and extraordinarily well preserved, authentic, original color woodblock print assembled triptych by the prolific and legendary 19th century Japanese printmaker and artist Utagawa Kunisida or Toyokuni III. The figuration of a man and several ladies wearing wonderfully patterned kimonos, appear to be involved in a variety of tasks, apparently in the evening, with decorated paper and wire lit lanterns, illuminating the veranda or open living quarters of an imperial palace, with what may possibly be the emperor playing a string instrument on a satin cloth covered table, with various women attending to a child. Various flowering plants can be seen outside the balustres of the room, with the deep cerulean and ultramarine blues of evening and of descending darkness, providing a blue curtain behind them. The three individual woodblock prints were done on artist's mulberry printmaking paper. The colors remain largely saturated, vivid and bright. Nearly, if not close to 200 years old and in absolutely extraordinary condition. No doubt remaining in a closed portfolio away from the harmful and diminishing effects of sunlight, has extended the life of this wonderful color woodblock figurative triptych by the legendary Japanese printmaker Utagawa Kunisida, also known as Toyokuni III. Absolutely gorgeous with colors to die for. It remains as it was found in the Boston, Massachusetts finely appointed estate it was originally discovered in and removed from. The individual woodblock prints are unframed. Magnificent.