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Sadao Watanabe (Japanese, 1913-1996). "Jesus and Twelve Disciples" stencil print, numbered 18/50, 1965. Numbered, signed, and dated in pencil beneath the image. A large biblical print by Sadao Watanabe rendered in the Japanese mingei (folk art) tradition with his signature bold expressive style. Watanabe used momigami (kneaded paper) for this piece - the paper carefully crumpled by hand, squeezed, and wrinkled to create a wonderful effect. In addition, his katazome method incorporated traditional organic and mineral pigments in a soybean milk medium. Interestingly, the protein in the milk binds the hues to the surface of the paper. Using natural materials is among the primary characteristics of mingei (folk art). A fabulous example by this Japanese Christian artist whose biblical prints have been exhibited in major museums throughout the world, including the Vatican and the Louvre. Size: 34.25" W x 23" H (87 cm x 58.4 cm)
Sadao Watanabe, born in Tokyo in 1913, was baptized Christian in 1930 and throughout his career, the artist based his compositions exclusively on biblical subjects. This said, the Christian stories and figures of his works are interpreted via traditional Japanese techniques. Watanabe took part in the folk-art movement in Japan which began in the 1930's as an attempt to preserve various traditional arts, among them stencil printing which Watanabe appreciated. Watanabe and Yoshitoshi Mori were the best-known 'sosaku hanga' artists who used the medium called kappazuri (stencil printing), a technique related to 'katazome' (stencil dyeing) which originated in Okinawa (the technique there was called 'bingata').
Provenance: private Donna Stockton collection, Colorado, USA; purchased at a traveling exhibition held at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Granite Springs, New York, USA, ca. 1965-1967
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#150820
Condition
Imagery is strong. Numbered, signed, and dated in pencil beneath the image. Label with title on the verso (upper left). Also on the back is one strip of transparent tape (perhaps double sided but no longer sticky) that does not seem to be fixing any repair. Perhaps it once adhered to a backing. Overall excellent with vivid hues and imagery.