Yoshijiro Urushibara - Outskirts of a Flemish Town, Signed 1924, Color Woodcut

Details

Description

The Outskirts of a Flemish Town (1924) by Yoshijiro Urushibara, Signed

Object Description:

A color woodcut from the portfolio Ten … Read more The Outskirts of a Flemish Town (1924) by Yoshijiro Urushibara, Signed

Object Description:

A color woodcut from the portfolio Ten Woodcuts by Yoshijiro Urushibara, published in London in 1924. Signed in the lower left corner. This print, plate 10 in the series, is based on a watercolor by British artist Frank Brangwyn (1867–1956) and depicts a quiet rural scene in Flanders, Belgium, with a winding road flanked by trees and houses. The work exemplifies Urushibara’s mastery of the woodblock medium and his ability to translate Western landscape compositions into Japanese printmaking techniques.

Key Details:

- Artist: Yoshijiro Urushibara (Japanese, 1888–1953)

- Collaborator: After a watercolor by Frank Brangwyn

- Medium: Color woodcut

- Dimensions: Image: 7.25 x 8.8 in (18.4 x 22.4 cm); Framed: 14.26 x 16.25 in (36.2 x 41.3 cm)

- Condition: Good, with minor age-appropriate wear; housed under glass in a faux granite painted frame with a double archival matte.

- Series: Plate 10 from Ten Woodcuts by Yoshijiro Urushibara (London, 1924), from a limited edition of 270.

Historical Context:

Created during Urushibara’s residence in Europe (1910–1940), where he collaborated with prominent Western artists, including Brangwyn. These cross-cultural partnerships introduced Japanese woodblock techniques to European printmaking while adapting Western subjects to traditional ukiyo-e methods.

Themes & Style:

The print captures the serene, timeless quality of Flemish rural life, rendered with delicate color gradations and precise carving. Urushibara’s work reflects the early 20th-century dialogue between Eastern and Western art, merging European landscape traditions with Japanese craftsmanship.

Legacy:

Urushibara’s collaborations significantly influenced European printmakers, particularly in the use of layered color and organic textures. His works are held in major collections, including:

- The British Museum, London

- Victoria and Albert Museum, London

- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Provenance:

From the original 1924 portfolio published in London. See less