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

Includes three woodblock prints, the first entitled L'Attente. Celebes Menado (Waiting. Celebes Menado), 1947, presented loose, the second entitled Jeune Fille de Saipan et Fleurs D'hibiscus, Marianes (Young Girl of Saipan and Hibiscus Flowers, Marianas), 1934, laid down on cardboard, and the third entitled Retour de la Jungle (Return from the Jungle), 1948, presented loose.


Each print 18 3/8 x 14 1/8 in.

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.

One with overall toning to margin, tear to left area of margin and some tears to right side of margin; printed area in good condition; another print with dark toning to some areas of the margin; some tears to margin; printed area itself in good condition; last print is laid down on cardboard with adhesive residue from previous mat; printed area itself in good condition.