$2,000–$15,000. Butterfly subjects are particularly sought after. Good mezzotint still lifes: $5,000–$10,000. Key value factors: Hamaguchi is regarded as one of the greatest mezzotint artists of the 20th century. His fruit and butterfly still lifes are most iconic and command the highest prices.
Crimson Butterfly, produced between 1981 and 1990, depicts a butterfly in deep red tones against the dark ground characteristic of Hamaguchi's color mezzotint work. Insects appear alongside fruit and vessels as a recurring subject across his career, valued for the challenge of rendering wing venation and the translucency of wing membranes through a medium that works exclusively in subtractive light. The crimson coloration required careful layering of warm pigments, as saturated reds in mezzotint must be built up through multiple passes rather than mixed optically on the plate. The butterfly floats in darkness without environmental context—no flower, branch, or surface—concentrating attention entirely on the insect's form and the quality of reflected light on its wings.
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Crimson Butterfly was created by Yozo Hamaguchi (浜口陽三) in 1981–90.
Crimson Butterfly uses Mezzotint, on color mezzotint.
Crimson Butterfly depicts insects and animals.
Crimson Butterfly measures 5.7 × 3.8 cm.
