Paul Jacoulet (French, 1902-1960), Five Woodblock Prints

Includes five woodblock prints originally created as Christmas cards, two remain in card format, two only the print and are presented loose over foam mats held by clear photo corners, and one print laid down to paper.

Collection of Michael and Ingrid Kelly, Worldwide Gallery Antiques, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Paul Jacoulet was a French woodblock print artist renowned for blending traditional Japanese ukiyo-e techniques with his own innovative style. Raised in Japan, he mastered Japanese culture, language, and the art of woodblock printing. Jacoulet traveled extensively throughout Asia and the Pacific, capturing portraits of indigenous people in their traditional attire and daily lives, making his work of both artistic and anthropological significance. He is recognized as one of the few Western artists to be acknowledged in Japan for his woodblock mastery. His prints, known for their vibrant colors, elaborate detail, and large format, often utilized techniques like embossing, lacquers, mica, metal pigments, and powdered semi-precious stones. Jacoulet employed highly skilled Japanese craftsmen, often crediting them in the margins of his prints. His work gained international acclaim after World War II, attracting collectors such as General Douglas MacArthur, Greta Garbo, and Queen Elizabeth II. Today, Jacoulet's prints remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide.