Mid 20th Century Framed Rare Japanese Woodblock Print Le Genie Sans Nom by Paul Jacoulet

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A Japanese Woodblock print by Paul Jacoulet (French, 1896-1960) entitled Le Genie Sans Nom, Coree, (The Unknown Genie) presented in … Read more A Japanese Woodblock print by Paul Jacoulet (French, 1896-1960) entitled Le Genie Sans Nom, Coree, (The Unknown Genie) presented in a nice wood frame. The print, created in 1953, is relatively rare, with only one edition of 350 but fewer than 145 impression realized. Carved by Maeda and printed by Onodera, the print features a dark moody color palette and rich bronze, silver and gold metallic mica powder Jacoulet didn't used before. The composition was quite striking with the half-naked Buddha carver reposing in front of a giant uncompleted statue. The print is considered among the best work by Jacoulet.
Signed in plate and with the artist's red peony ink stamp center right. Printed title in lower right margin, and carver's and printer's seals in lower right margin. Marked no.137/350 and collector's no verso. The sight of the print image size is 11.75" x 15.5". With frame, it measures 22 x 18 in. The notch cut in the lower left corner of the paper represents a registration cut for aligning the paper during printing
It should be noted that Jacoulet may have not pulled his print in the order of his edition number due to his complicated and eccentric numbering system.
Reference: No 127 "The Prints of Paul Jacoulet: A Complete Illustrated Catalog by Richard Miles.
An eccentric artist of his time, Paul Jacoulet was born in France but lived most his life in Japan. He is considered as one of the few western artists who have mastered the art of woodblock printing sufficiently to be recognized in Japan. Largely rooted in traditional Japanese woodblock printing techniques and ukiyo-e style, the artist developed a unique and recognizable style infused with his own aesthetic vision and technical approaches that set himself apart from Japanese artists. Nearly all portraits, Jacoulet depicted a wide range of people he encountered in his extensive travelling in the Far East as well as South Pacific. Often in their traditional outfits and surrounded by endogenous flora and props, his models often convey a more western sense of pose, with some directly confronting the viewers. Jacoulet occupies a special place in the world of ukiyo-e, the artist formed a bridge between the East and West. See less