Cats showcases Sekino's affection for felines, a subject he returned to throughout his career with evident delight. The print was hand-carved and printed by the artist in a limited numbered edition. Collector interest in cat subjects keeps prices firm at $200-$600.
Cats were among Sekino's most reliable subjects across four decades of printmaking, and this work collects multiple feline forms into a single composition. The animals' boneless, self-contained postures — each cat an island of absorption — give the composition its rhythm, the woodblock medium perfectly suited to the broad curves of a sleeping or watching cat. Sekino's cats are never domesticated into mere decoration; they retain an air of private life.
Hebizukai
1932
Color woodblock print; oban
1935
Color woodblock print; oban
1964
Acrylic paint and oil pastel with oiled charcoal and ink over an ink and graphite underdrawing on paper
1964
Color lithograph with relief block and hand coloring; edition 35/36
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Cats was created by Jun'ichiro Sekino (関野準一郎).
Cats uses Nishiki-e, Moku-hanga, and Kento, on woodblock print.
Cats depicts animals and cats.
