This charming composition of a boy cradling a cat unites two of Sekino's favorite subjects: children and animals. As a true sosaku-hanga work, the artist personally handled every stage of production. Values range from $300-$800, and impressions bearing both pencil signature and edition number are preferred by collectors.
A 1957 woodblock in which a boy cradles a cat with the careful, slightly self-conscious grip of a child who knows the animal might bolt. Sekino's genius with this subject lies in rendering the instability of the moment: the cat is tolerated, not compliant, and the boy's expression carries the concentration of someone managing something unpredictable. The composition has warmth without sentimentality.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Boy Holding a Cat was created by Jun'ichiro Sekino (関野準一郎) in 1957.
Boy Holding a Cat uses Nishiki-e, Moku-hanga, and Kento, on woodblock print.
Boy Holding a Cat depicts children, animals, and cats.
