Toshi Yoshida: Pagoda in Kyoto (Pencil Signed) (SOLD)
Artist: Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995) Title: Pagoda in Kyoto Date: 1942 Peaceful scene of a classic pagoda rising above a willow tree by a lake in Kyoto. Perhaps it is dawn or dusk, as the sky is bathed in pink and the pagoda itself is a lovely shade of mauve purple. A willow tree bends its green boughs towards the water, which are reflected on the surface of the lake below. We can see the artist's deep sensitivity to color, which reflects his artistic relationship with his father, Hiroshi. The Japanese lower left reads “Goju no To” (Five-storey Pagoda), so perhaps the temple shown is To-ji, last rebuilt in 1643. Although there are many posthumous editions of this work available, this one is pencil-signed by the artist, so it is considered a first edition. One could see that during wartime the artist was reminding the Japanese people of their unique cultural heritage. With the “jikoku” (self-carved) seal, upper left. Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. Never framed. Tiny smudge in lower margin. Dimensions: chuban (27 x 19.7 cm) Publisher: Self-published by the artist. Signature: Toshi Yoshida (in pencil, lower right)