Shiro Kasamatsu (Japanese, 1898-1991), Leek Flowers

Circa 1958, woodblock print, black cat walking amongst tall leek flowering plants, signed in image at lower right, Shiro Kasamatsu, together with artist's red seal, Shiro, presented under glass with double mats in a rounded gilt wood frame.

Frame dimensions 22 1/2 x 17 1/2 in., Sight size 14 1/4 x 9 1/2 in.

Collection of Michael and Ingrid Kelly, Worldwide Gallery Antiques, Fredericksburg, Virginia From the personal collection of antique gallery owners Michael and Ingrid Kelly who owned Worldwide Gallery Antiques, dealing with antiques for over sixty-five years, retiring to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where they filled their own residence with Asian and Belle Epoch fine arts and antiques.

Shiro Kasamatsu began his career in the studio of the great painter and teacher, Kaburagi Kiyokata (1878-1972) where he also was introduced to the innovative publisher, Watanabe Shozaburo (1885-1962) who was at the forefront of the shin-hanga (new print) movement. Watanabe published Shiro's first print in 1919, relatively early in the evolution of shin-hanga, and published over 50 more until the early 1940s. In the late 1940s Shiro began to produce prints with other publishers including Kinjiro and Unsodo. In the 1950s Shiro boldly changed modes and began carving and printing his own works in the manner of the sosaku-hanga (creative print) movement, eventually producing 119 of his own works.

Very good condition; not examined outside of the frame.