Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"Black Cat Hissing" by Hiroaki Takahashi (also known as Shotei Takahashi) is a captivating piece of Japanese woodblock art that epitomizes the artist's deft command over detail, use of color, and ability to infuse dynamism into a static image. The painting features a black cat, its body arched and fur visibly standing on end, with its mouth open in a menacing hiss. This feral reaction captures a moment of pure instinct and tension, accentuated by the artist’s meticulous line work and shading.

Hiroaki Takahashi (1871-1945) was an eminent figure in the shin-hanga (new prints) movement, which sought to rejuvenate traditional ukiyo-e with modern subjects and stylistic innovations influenced by Western techniques. Emerging during the early 20th century, shin-hanga artists like Takahashi revitalized the woodblock print medium by enhancing its visual appeal, incorporating a greater sense of realism, and emphasizing the artist's hand in the creative process.

The compositional structure of "Black Cat Hissing" is careful and deliberate. The cat is centrally positioned, ensuring that its tensed posture and glaring eyes immediately grab the viewer's attention. The background is scarcely detailed, likely a muted blend of greys, blues, or off-whites, which serves to contrast the deep, dark tones of the cat’s fur, accentuating its prominence.

Hiroaki’s technique in rendering fur involves the use of fine, wispy brushstrokes, creating a textural effect that conveys both the sleekness and the puffiness of the cat's fur as it stands on edge. The shadows on the cat’s sides and underbelly exhibit a sophisticated grasp of light and depth, imbuing the artwork with a sense of three-dimensionality even within the constraints of the woodblock medium.

The cat's face is a masterpiece of expression. The wide-open mouth, sharp teeth, and glaring eyes are vividly illustrated, capturing the essence of the cat's aggression and fear. The eyes, rendered with acute precision, are particularly striking. They erupt from the cat’s dark fur with intensity, their narrowed pupils creating a piercing gaze that engages directly with the viewer.

The depiction of animals, especially in such dramatic postures, aligns with the shin-hanga movement’s exploration of a broader range of subjects beyond the traditional landscapes and beauties (bijin-ga) that characterized earlier ukiyo-e works. Takahashi's "Black Cat Hissing" reflects a fascination with naturalism and psychology, merging technical prowess with an understanding of animal behavior.

This piece also fits within a broader tradition in Japanese art that venerates the fleeting moment, capturing the ephemerality of life—whether it be a cherry blossom in spring or a cat's hiss of defiance and fear. The piece stands as a testament to Takahashi's ability to merge traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern sensibilities, thus contributing significantly to the shin-hanga movement.

While the exact location of the original "Black Cat Hissing" might be difficult to pinpoint as woodblock prints can exist in multiple impressions, many of Hiroaki Takahashi's works are held in private collections and museums around the world. Noteworthy collections containing shin-hanga prints, including those by Takahashi, can often be found in institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the Honolulu Museum of Art.

In conclusion, "Black Cat Hissing" is not just a display of Hiroaki Takahashi's technical skill, but also a profound exploration of naturalistic themes and emotional expression, firmly placing it within the influential shin-hanga movement that bridged traditional Japanese art with modern perspectives.