SAITÔ Kaoru
(Japan 1931– )
- Title
- Red sails in the sunset
- Place of origin
-
Japan
- Period
- Heisei period 1989 - → Japan
- Year
- 1991
- Media category
- Materials used
- mezzotint
- Edition
- A.P.
- Dimensions
-
30.0 x 36.0cm image; 43.5 x 52.0cm sheet
- Signature & date
- Signed l.r., pencil "Kaoru". Dated l.c., pencil " '91".
- Credit
- Gift of the artist 1993
- Accession number
- 452.1993
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
Saito is a master at manipulating the sensuous subtle tones obtainable with the European mezzotint technique. It is only in the recent post-war decades that mezzotint has flowered as an artistic medium in Japan. Its pioneers were Hasegawa Kiyoshi (1891-1980) and Hamaguchi Yozo (born 1909), both of whom studied in France in their search to revive mezzotint techniques, and who have achieved international recognition for their technical virtuosity in the use of mezzotint. Today Saito is acknowledged, with Hamaguchi, as the most accomplished technician in mezzotint working in Japan. Now living in Kanagawa Prefecture where he was born, Saito was educated at the Academy 46 Art Institute.
In this small rich gem of a print, Saito expressively explores the medium of colour mezzotint to capture the quietude of red sails drifting rhythmically on a still sea at sunset. This is a more unusual subject for Saito who is perhaps better known for his studies of women, beautifully dressed in traditional kimono.
Jackie Menzies, Contemporary Japanese Prints: The Urban Bonsai, 1992, pg. 68.
- Bibliography (1)
-
Jackie Menzies (Australia) (Author), Contemporary Japanese Prints : The Urban Bonsai, Sydney, 1992, 68, 79 (colour illus.). cat. no. 47
- Exhibition history (11)
-
The Urban Bonsai, Queensland Art Gallery, 04 Mar 1992–04 May 1992.
The Urban Bonsai, National Art Gallery, Wellington, 20 Jun 1992–09 Aug 1992.
The Urban Bonsai, Christchurch Art Gallery, 12 Sep 1992–29 Oct 1992.
The Urban Bonsai, Manawatu Art Gallery, 13 Nov 1992–10 Jan 1993.
The Urban Bonsai, The George Adams Gallery, Victorian Arts Centre, 18 Mar 1993–25 Apr 1993.
The Urban Bonsai, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 08 May 1993–01 Aug 1993.
The Urban Bonsai, Lewers Bequest and Penrith Regional Art Gallery, 11 Mar 1994–24 Apr 1994.
The Urban Bonsai, The Drill Hall Gallery, Australian National University, 19 May 1994–19 Jun 1994.
The Urban Bonsai, Campbelltown Arts Centre, 15 Jul 1994–21 Aug 1994.
The Urban Bonsai, Moree Plains Gallery, 11 Nov 1994–24 Dec 1994.
The Urban Bonsai, Tweed River Regional Art Gallery, 01 Feb 1995–05 Mar 1995.
