Snowflake
雪
by Ito Shinsui
- Date:
- 1923
- Medium:
- Color woodblock print
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
Typical Price
A winter-themed bijin-ga with falling snowflakes adding atmosphere to the composition. Early Watanabe editions command $3,000-$10,000, while post-earthquake printings bring $1,200-$3,500. Seasonal weather effects combined with figure subjects are particularly desirable, as they showcase both Shinsui's figure drawing and atmospheric printing skills.
Description
A young woman in a dark kimono holds an umbrella as large snowflakes drift around her. The contrast between her luminous pale skin and the dark tones of her clothing, combined with the raised white dots of falling snow, creates one of the most hauntingly beautiful images in all of shin-hanga. This print is Shinsui''s most celebrated work and an icon of the movement.
