Cherry Blossoms and Gulls

Method Woodblock (nishiki-e)
Artist Kono Bairei (1844-1895)
Published 1883
Dimensions Ôban tate-e [~15.6 x 10.7 inches]
Notes Series: Bairei Kacho Gafe: Bairei's Flowers and Birds
Publisher Okura Magobei
Artists Seal: Red seal ~Bairei

Cherry blossoms stretch across the foreground as a gull perches on a pile and another rest on the water with its head tucked under a wing, with a sailboat in the distance beyond. The series title appears within the top of the printed boarder and the title of print is in a red square next to a description of the birds and plants in the print.

Born in 1844 in Kyôto, Kono (born Yasuda) Bairei was one of the leading Meiji print designers devoted to pictures of birds and flowers (kacho-ga). He trained as a classical painter, studying as a child with Nakajima Raisho and, in his late twenties, with Shiokawa Bunrin. Bairei was instrumental in the foundation of the Kyôto Prefectural School of Painting and, after the school was flourishing, opened his own studio and began to instruct students in his area of expertise.His prints are often found bound as books, either as four separate volumes or two volumes for spring/summer and autumn/winter. In 1893, Bairei became a member of the Art Committee of the Imperial Household.

Condition: Album backing as issued. Otherwise strong colour and excellent impression.
Framing mounted
Price £400.00
Stock ID 52422

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