HIRANO -- "Before the Mirror" (#4)

(Click HERE for additional image)
(Click HERE for additional image)
(Click HERE for additional image)
Artist HIRANO, Hakuho
(1879-1957)
Title "Before the Mirror"
("Kagami no Mae")
Date 1932
(Likely 1930's/40's printing.)
Series na
Publisher Watanabe Shozaburo
Seal, Carver/Printer No seal present.
(Robert Muller's copy of same print--illustrated in "The New Wave" book--is similarly un-sealed.)
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; circular "baren sujizuri"
(tracings) to entire background.
Condition Very Good. Very Good colors.
Clean front and verso. (Archival paper repair verso; light toning.)
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 # GG-181
Price $875.00 Special (Sold/HR)
($2000 if perfect)