Sekino frequently depicted boys alongside animals, and this rooster composition is a recurring motif in his oeuvre. Look for the penciled edition number in the margin, typically from runs of 30-50 impressions. Market value ranges from $300-$800, with well-preserved early impressions at the higher end.
One of multiple prints Sekino devoted to the subject of a boy and rooster, this 1957 version establishes the compositional formula: the child and bird face each other in a relationship of mutual curiosity, neither dominant. Sekino found endless variation in this pairing, adjusting the relative scale, the distance between figures, and the color to produce works that range from tender to absurdly confrontational. This version has the directness of a fresh observation.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Boy and Rooster was created by Jun'ichiro Sekino (関野準一郎) in 1957.
Boy and Rooster uses Nishiki-e, Moku-hanga, and Kento, on woodblock print.
Boy and Rooster depicts birds & flowers and children.
