Takagi - Two Cranes

Shiro Takagi (1934–1998)

Date: 1980's
Publisher: Watanabe
Size: 5 1/2" x 6 1/4"
Genre: Landscape, Shin-hanga
Medium: Woodblock Print

Handsome image of two flying cranes, from a group of contemporary woodblocks published for annual calendars on high-quality washi paper. Subjects range from landscapes and city scenes to figures and abstract designs.

Shiro Takagi was an influential artist of the sōsaku hanga ("creative print") movement and a master of traditional moku hanga woodblock printing. His work is appreciated by collectors for its refined craftsmanship, tranquil subjects, and relatively accessible prices compared with many of his contemporaries.

Born in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Takagi studied at Musashino College of Fine Arts in Tokyo before continuing his artistic training privately under Amano Kunihiro. He became an active participant in the sōsaku hanga movement, exhibiting with both the Nihon Hanga Kyokai and the Kokugakai. His prints were shown internationally in exhibitions and biennales in Tokyo, Grenchen, Kraków, São Paulo, Paris, and Los Angeles. He joined the Nihon Hanga Kyokai in 1961 and received an award at the São Paulo Biennale in 1967.

Like many leading artists of the sōsaku hanga movement, Takagi created his prints entirely by hand, designing, carving, and printing each work himself. Landscapes and birds became his signature subjects, reflecting his appreciation for the quiet beauty of the natural world.

Condition - Excellent overall with no issues to report.