Takao Sano - Calm Sea

Takao Sano (1941)

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

Islands at sea, emerging out from the water. The yellow sunshine reflected on the ocean. 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.

Takao Sano (born 1941) is a contemporary Japanese woodblock print artist best known for his bold, figurative compositions and his internationally acclaimed ex-libris (bookplate) designs. His work combines the traditional craftsmanship of Japanese woodblock printing with a modern artistic style characterized by vivid colors and expressive imagery.

Born in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Sano received his first major recognition at the Nihon Hanga-in Exhibition in 1959, launching a printmaking career that has spanned more than six decades. He has received numerous awards throughout his career from organizations including the Nihon Hanga-in, the Nippon Exlibris Association, and the International Federation of Ex Libris Societies. His prints have been exhibited internationally in countries such as Poland, France, Italy, Russia, and Argentina.

A member of the Japan Artists Association (Nihon Bijutsu-ka Renmei), Sano is especially admired for his mastery of ex-libris prints, a specialized field with a devoted international community of collectors. Many of his larger woodblock print designs have been published by the renowned Watanabe Color Print Company of Tokyo, whose long history of producing exceptional Japanese woodblock prints reflects the high regard for Sano's work.

Today, Takao Sano is recognized as one of Japan's leading contemporary printmakers, successfully blending traditional woodblock techniques with a distinctly modern artistic vision.

Condition - Excellent overall with no issues to report.