Mid 20th Century Japanese Woodblock Print Les Jades Chinoise by Paul Jacoulet

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A Japanese Woodblock print by Paul Jacoulet (French, 1896-1960) entitled Les Jades Chinoise (Jade Lady Chinese). Created in 1940, this … Read more A Japanese Woodblock print by Paul Jacoulet (French, 1896-1960) entitled Les Jades Chinoise (Jade Lady Chinese). Created in 1940, this is the most popular and recognizable print by the artist. It depicts a Manchurian Lady in traditional headdress and robe bejeweled with jade ornaments. The black robe with silver mica highlight lines contrasts sharply with the vegetable pigmented red background with a slithering dragon. The fine costume and the luxuriant jades indicate that this is no ordinary lady, but aristocratic or royal. The first edition printed by Honda was largely lost. The postwar second edition prints by Onodera and Fujii has fewer than 180 prints which make up the most survived copies such as this one on offer.
This print was marked in plate by Jacoulet's signature and the red Boat seal. On the right lower margin, is the carver Maeda and printer Onodera's seal. Bottom right margin is the printed title. Marked Jacoulet's simple PJ stamp verso (likely an artist proof print). The notch cut in the corner of the paper represents a registration cut for aligning the paper during printing
Not framed but it comes with the mat of previous frame. The image size is 11.75" x 15.5".
It should be noted that Jacoulet did not pulled the prints in the order of his edition number due to his complicated and eccentric numbering system.
Reference: No 63 "The Prints of Paul Jacoulet: A Complete Illustrated Catalog by Richard Miles.
Provenance: The Collection of Lucille Arnold Blanch, friend of Paul Jacoulet, and thence by descendants.

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