Lot 235: HANABUSA ITCHO (1652 - 1724): THREE MEN UNDER A PINE

Kakemono, ink on paper. Japan, 2nd half 18th century. SIZE IMAGE 72,5 x 26 CM, SCROLL 141 x 39,3 CM
A kakemono offering a vivid figurative painting of a humorous study depicting three men under a pine tree. They are wearing black caps and have put their working tools aside to relax and maybe enjoy some Sake. Itcho ambitiously grasped their expression and thus let us participate in this amusing moment. The pine tree masterly done with a few strokes. Seal: Hokuso in 北窗 印 (Seal of H.) first character illegible. Hokuso is the artist's name of Hanabusa Itcho (英一 蝶) from Osaka. Itch studied at the Kano-School (to be seen from his distinctive style), and then worked independently and especially favored popular themes. Mounted on silk with Ichimonji of a fine bronze shade, ivory Jikusaki, backed sections.
From a German private collection