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

"Yokugo no onna," translated as "Woman After the Bath," is a captivating woodblock print created in 1915 by the Japanese artist Goyo Hashiguchi. This artwork exemplifies the delicate beauty and grace of women, a central theme in Goyo’s oeuvre.

In the scene, a serene and contemplative woman is portrayed seated post-bath. Her demure gaze is directed downward, exuding an air of calm introspection. She lightly drapes a towel over her shoulder, with her other hand resting gracefully on her bare knee, which is modestly covered with a faint layer of kimono fabric. Her hair is still slightly damp and carelessly tucked behind her ears, adding a serene, natural beauty to her appearance.

The woman's soft skin is rendered in delicate tones of ivory and blush, creating a sumptuous texture that contrasts with the subtle, flowing lines of her garment. The background is minimally defined, allowing the figure's gentle contours to stand in stark relief against a neutral backdrop. Traditional Japanese aesthetics are prominent, particularly in the balanced composition and the elegant line work that highlights the calm, understated beauty of the subject.

Information about the Painting and the Artist:

Artist: Goyo Hashiguchi (1880-1921) was an important figure in the shin-hanga ("new prints") movement in early 20th-century Japan. This movement sought to revive traditional ukiyo-e art forms with modern stylistic influences.

Original Painting Location: Goyo Hashiguchi’s works, including "Yokugo no onna," are prized by collectors and museums worldwide. While there is no single repository for all his works, many are housed in renowned institutions like the British Museum, the Tokyo National Museum, and in various private collections. Specific locations of individual prints can vary due to the nature of woodblock printing and the distribution of editions.

Career and Artistic Movements: This work was created shortly after Goyo's pivotal involvement in the shin-hanga movement. Following his training under artists like Kiyokata Kaburagi and his exposure to Western art forms during his time at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, Goyo developed a unique synthesis of Western realism and traditional Japanese aesthetics. "Yokugo no onna" reflects this synthesis with its meticulous attention to detail, the naturalism in the depiction of the human form, and the serene, contemplative quality reminiscent of traditional Japanese themes.

Goyo's prints, characterized by their exquisite detail, graceful lines, and serene compositions, were a significant departure from the more colorful and narrative-heavy ukiyo-e prints of earlier periods. His work is marked by a poignant, almost photographic realism and an intimate, quiet beauty.

Noteworthy Details:

1. Artistic Technique: Goyo's finesse in using the woodblock printing method is evident in the fine lines and subtle gradations of color, balancing simplicity and detail masterfully.

2. Cultural Context: In "Yokugo no onna," Goyo captures an intimate, everyday moment, a thematic focus that resonates with traditional Japanese ideals of mono no aware (the sensitivity to ephemera and transience).

3. Legacy: Despite his relatively short life, Goyo Hashiguchi left a lasting legacy in Japanese art, with "Yokugo no onna" often highlighted as one of his masterpieces that encapsulates the quiet dignity and timeless beauty for which his work is celebrated.

This elegantly understated piece is a testament to Goyo Hashiguchi's singular artistry and the enduring appeal of shin-hanga woodblock prints.