In Front of Mirror
鏡の前
- Date:
- 1930
- Medium:
- Color woodblock print
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
Typical Price
"In Front of Mirror" depicts a woman examining her reflection, creating a compositional doubling that adds visual complexity. The mirror subject allowed Kotondo to show two views of a face in a single design. With only 21 bijin-ga ever created, each Kotondo design is a rarity. Lifetime editions command $5,000-$14,000; posthumous are $2,000-$4,500.
Description
A woman sits before a mirror, adjusting her appearance with careful attention. Her reflection is partially visible, creating a compositional device that allows the viewer to see both the woman and her self-image simultaneously. The doubled presence adds a meditative quality to the image, suggesting themes of self-awareness and the relationship between inner and outer beauty.
