Screens: Pre 1960

 1952 - Year of the Dragon - screen pair

Click on the picture for detailed images

PRICE : $3200 the pair  

ARTIST :
The seals read Chokei, the artists painting name. We have been unable to read his family name – his first name is Saburo. It is noted that the screens were painted at Murokuan-an, almost certainly the name of his studio. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to trace Chokei.

AGE :
Dated in the Year of the Dragon, Showa 27, 1952

SIZE :
Each screen measures 146.5 inches across and stands 67.5 inches high.

DESCRIPTION :
This is an exceptionally decorative pair of screens painted in the Year of the Dragon, Showa 27, 1952. Utilizing very similar energy and inspiration as that of an artist painting the ceiling of a temple with a protective dragon image, the screens are dominated by bold, sweeping ink brush strokes. The highly energized application of ink infuses the works with movement, atmosphere and complexity. A hint of green and red distinguishes the dragons as they entwine themselves in the clouds. As with all good ink paintings, the artist would have spent far more time in planning and drawing inspiration for the works than in the actual application. They are highly individual and powerful works of art, almost beyond comparison. The images do portray the screens accurately, although their sheer magnitude is lost in translation.

TECHNIQUE :
Ink on paper

CONDITION :
Structurally the screens are in fine condition. There are no punctures present. Brown splashes appear on both screens, although certainly more predominantly on the left one. The worst of these areas are shown in the images. These marks are largely non-distracting given the scale and the drama of the artwork.