Ace of Hearts applies Sekino's woodblock technique to a playful, graphic subject drawn from the world of cards. The bold, flat forms of a playing card suited his printmaking approach perfectly. This artist-pulled limited edition typically sells for $200-$600, making it an accessible and distinctive Sekino acquisition.
Issued in 1978 as edition 80 of 128, this late-career color print takes a playing card's motif — the ace of hearts — and subjects it to Sekino's characteristic transformation: the flat graphic symbol becomes a vehicle for layered color, texture, and spatial ambiguity. The hearts suit's connotations of love and luck resonate in a work made during Sekino's most technically accomplished decade, when his color registration and edition management had reached their fullest refinement.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Ace of Hearts was created by Jun'ichiro Sekino (関野準一郎) in 1978.
Ace of Hearts uses Nishiki-e, Moku-hanga, and Kento, on color woodblock print; edition 80/128.
Ace of Hearts depicts still life and abstract.
Ace of Hearts measures 56 × 80 cm.
