$5,000–$200,000+. Beauty prints by this artist are particularly sought after. Original prints: $20,000–$60,000. Key value factors: Shoen's paintings are far more valuable than prints. Authenticity and provenance are critical.
This print pairs a beautiful woman with a wood carver, creating a two-figure composition that contrasts feminine refinement with artisanal labor. The juxtaposition is deliberate: Shoen valued craftsmanship deeply, having built her career on the painstaking techniques of nihonga painting, and the inclusion of a working craftsperson alongside a bijin figure elevates manual skill to the level of beauty. The wood carver's tools and focused posture provide a grounding counterpoint to the woman's more decorative presence. Shoen may be referencing the collaborative process behind woodblock prints themselves, where the carver's interpretation of the artist's drawing determines the final image. The oban format accommodates both figures without crowding, giving each enough space to register as a distinct presence while their proximity creates a visual dialogue between beauty and craft.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Bijin and Wood Carver (1) was created by Uemura Shoen (上村松園).
Bijin and Wood Carver (1) depicts bijin-ga and craftspeople.
