Portrait of Mr. Fritz W. Bilfinger records an international acquaintance, reflecting Sekino's cosmopolitan circle during the postwar period. As a limited-edition sosaku-hanga print, it was entirely handmade by the artist. Prices generally range from $300-$800, lower than his portraits of famous Japanese figures but still collectible.
Fritz W. Bilfinger was a German collector and supporter of Japanese printmaking who acquired significant holdings of sosaku-hanga work and maintained close relationships with artists in Sekino's circle. His portrait here is part of the tradition, common in the sosaku-hanga world, of artist-patron portraiture: the collector rendered in the medium they championed, preserved in the same ink-on-paper that their patronage helped sustain.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Portrait of Mr. Fritz W. Bilfinger was created by Jun'ichiro Sekino (関野準一郎).
Portrait of Mr. Fritz W. Bilfinger uses Nishiki-e, Moku-hanga, and Kento, on woodblock print.
Portrait of Mr. Fritz W. Bilfinger depicts portraits.
