Hiratsuka, Unichi (1895 - 1997 )
Unichi Hiratsuka was one of the leaders of the Sosaku Hanga movement and the teacher of Shiko Munakata. Hiratsuka was born in Matsue, Japan and his father was a shrine carpenter. Between 1935 and 1944 Hiratsuka taught the first woodblock printing class at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. In 1962, he moved to Washington D.C., where he lived for 33 years. During his time in Washington DC, he was commissioned by three Presidents to create woodblock prints of national landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the Library of Congress. These prints can now be found in the collections of the National Gallery and the Freer Gallery. He received Order of Cultural Merit from the Japanese government in 1970. In 1991, the Hiratsuka Unichi Print Museum opened in Nagano. Hiratsuka returned to Japan in 1994.
Modern Art | Modern Japanese Prints and Paintings
The 20th century saw the emergence of two modern Japanese print movements: Shin Hanga, or “new prints,” and Sosaku Hanga, or “creative prints.” Both sought an identity somewhere between centuries of rich cultural tradition and modern global character. With growing realism, changing techniques, and a newfound international audience, the Shin Hanga movement portrayed familiar Japanese themes through modern eyes. From sensual beauties and expressive actors, to atmospheric landscapes and sensitive nature studies, the principal genres of ukiyo-e reasserted themselves with renewed vigor. The Sosaku Hanga movement emphasized the participation of the artist in every aspect of production. From carving to printing, modern Japanese printmaking adopted a more spontaneous, expressive attitude through the artistic explorations of this movement. Ranging from figural to abstract, Sosaku Hanga flourished after WWII. Explore Ronin Gallery's selection of modern prints and paintings below.
