A Young Girl

Medium:: Woodblock print
Format:: Oban
Publisher:: Watanabe Shozaburo
Edition:: Published by Watanabe Shozaburo
Source:

Typical Price

Shinsui is Japan's preeminent shin-hanga bijin-ga master. His "Modern Beauties" and related series remain in strong demand, with provenance from notable collections (Freddie Mercury's collection appeared at Sotheby's 2023) adding premium value.

Later Showa editions with adequate color: $800–$2,000
Showa-period lifetime editions: $2,000–$8,000
Exceptional impressions, iconic designs: $8,000–$25,000

Description

A young girl—not yet old enough to be classed as a bijin but already being groomed into the conventions of feminine comportment—is shown in a formal or festive pose in this undated print. Shinsui occasionally extended his figure work beyond adult women to include children, and his treatment of young girls carries the same careful attention to dress and gesture that defines his portraits of adult beauties. The subject bridges his [bijin-ga](/glossary/bijin-ga) work and the broader tradition of genre images of children.