Series: Transmigration (Transferred Soul) Medium: Wood engraving with chine-collé Dimensions: 12 3/4 x 6 1/2 inches (image) Signature: Signed Artist details: Japanese, 1944 Date finished: 1988 Edition: of 40
Recommended by Catherine (Collections Specialist):
Keisei Kobayashi's intricate wood engravings often explore themes around ecology and nature mysticism. His piece Roots B from the 'Transmigration' series is a beautiful depiction of the reciprocity between humans and nature within the process of death. At a quick glance, the image appears to be of a dead tree, its scraggly and bare branches inviting the company of crows. A closer look reveals a glowing figure, sitting within the roots of the tree and bringing new life through the trunk. A clear symbol of rebirth in light of death, it also conveys a feeling of peaceful renewal in the midst of grief.
Series: Animals and Plants in Colors Medium: Colored wood engraving Dimensions: 16 x 12 inches (image), 23 1/4 x 19 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: Japanese, 1944 Date finished: 2016 Edition: of 70
Recommended by Nikki(Fine Print Photographer & Content Publisher): Kobayashi’s easily recognizable flora and fauna and color palette’s repeated pastel rainbow rolls lull his audience into a peaceful acceptance of this scene. Kobayashi has hypnotically pulled the viewer into his fantasy world where baby chicks and sea turtles emerge in the same space; and land and seascapes gently exist in a circular flow in the same plane. All of the birds, fish, frogs, etc are all observing the cock and hen. Cycles of life are in perfect balance in this imaginary space, where even one wrong step from the cock at the edge of the cliff can throw it into disharmony.
Series: Requiem at Noon Medium: Wood engraving with chine-collé Dimensions: 6 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches (image) Signature: Signed Artist details: Japanese, 1944 Date finished: 1981 Edition: AP of 10
Series: Requiem at Noon Medium: Wood engraving with chine-collé Dimensions: 12 3/4 x 19 inches (image) 15 1/2 x 20 1/2 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: Japanese, 1944 Date finished: 1980 Edition: AP of 10
Medium: Wood engraving with chine-collé Dimensions: 15 1/4 x 14 inches (image) Signature: Signed Artist details: Japanese, 1944 Date finished: 2008-2010 Edition: of 40
Series: Illusional Planet Medium: Wood engraving with chine-collé Dimensions: 21 1/2 x 9 3/8 inches (image) Signature: Signed Artist details: Japanese, 1944 Date finished: 1994 Edition: of 35
Series: At the Dawn Medium: Wood engraving with chine-collé Dimensions: 22 3/4 x 11 1/4 inches (image) Signature: Signed Artist details: Japanese, 1944 Date finished: 2003 Edition: of 30
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 6 x 4 inches (Block) 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches (Sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: Canadian, 1939 Edition: of 30 Date finished: 2012
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 2 x 4 inches (image), 9 x 6 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 1985 Edition: of 100
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 2 x 4 inches (image), 9 x 6 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 1985 Edition: of 100
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 3 x 4 inches (image), 9 x 6 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 1985 Edition: AP
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 2 x 4 inches (image), 9 x 6 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 1985 Edition: AP
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 2 7/8 x 4 inches (image), 9 x 6 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 1985 Edition: of 100
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches (image), 16 1/2 x 10 3/4 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 1982 Edition: AP
Medium: Wood engraving on blue-gray paper Dimensions: 7 1/4 x 6 inches (image), 12 1/2 x 9 1/8 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 2003 Edition: of 30
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 3 x 4 inches (image), 9 x 6 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 1985 Edition: of 100
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 2 x 4 inches (image), 9 x 6 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 1985 Edition: of 100
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 6 x 9 inches (image), 12 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 2003 Edition: AP
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 2 x 2 inches (image), 9 x 6 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 1985 Edition: AP
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 3 3/4 x 8 inches (image), 12 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Edition: AP
Series: The Pennyroyal Caxton Bible Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 11 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches (image), 15 x 10 inches (sheet) Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 1999 Edition: AP
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 6 x 11 inches (image), 14 1/4 x 9 1/32 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details:American, 1940 Date finished: 2008 Edition: AP 2/5
Series: The Pennyroyal Caxton Bible Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches (image), 14 3/4 x 10 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 1999 Edition: AP
Medium: Wood engraving Dimensions: 8 x 11 inches (image), 12 3/4 x 18 1/2 inches (sheet) Signature: Signed Artist details: American, 1940 Date finished: 2003 Edition: of 50
Recommended by Paige (Collections Manager): "One of my favorite wood engravings comes from the master himself, Barry Moser. This piece is a bit unusual for its use of colored paper, but is also a classic representation of Moser's impossibly fine lines. The blue paper compliments the animal's light eyes and surrounding darkness. I once read an interview where Moser talked about his love of opposites and how he uses them in work, like serious vs. comedic, expected vs. unexpected, complex vs. simple etc. This piece holds many opposites like the technical skill and traditional stylings compared to the often ignoble cow. I love how this cow gets a royal treatment only Barry Moser could give, complete with a laurel wreath and the title The Old Gentleman."