HIRANO -- "Before the Mirror" (#3)

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Artist HIRANO, Hakuho (1879-1957)
Title "Before the Mirror"
("Kagami no Mae")
Date 1932 (Likely 1930's/40's printing.)
Provenance Private placement. Consigned by a southwest print collector/dealer.
Series na
Publisher Shobishia
Seal, Carver/Printer Red circular "Shobisha" seal (verso).
Image Size 10 x 14 1/4 (plus margins)
Impression Very Fine.
Skillfully executed "bokashi" shading to hand, face, and background; extensive "gauffrage" (embossing) to entire red kimono pattern, green collar, hand towel, and hair-piece; gold metallic pigment highlights to hairpin; strong circular "baren sujizuri" (tracings) to entire background.
Condition Excellent. Excellent colors.
Clean front and verso.
(Very slight wear; slight toning. No prior mounts.)
Reference/Illus "The Female Image," Plate #209. "New Wave," Plate #127.
Comments Without question, this is Hirano's finest "bijin-ga" image (lifetime total of only 6 known images, all 1932-36). Amoung the finest "bijin-ga" prints of the shin-hanga period. Rarely seen.
Item # FW-44
Price Special $1200 (Sold/JG)
(Reg $2250/$1750/$1500)