Mid-Century Japanese Modernist Oil Painting "Marionette" by Masaharu Fukui With Inscribed Board

Details

Description

An evocative original mid-century modernist oil painting titled Marionette (マリオネット) by noted Japanese artist Masaharu Fukui (1931–1989). Executed on canvas … Read more An evocative original mid-century modernist oil painting titled Marionette (マリオネット) by noted Japanese artist Masaharu Fukui (1931–1989). Executed on canvas with rich, dimensional impasto and subtle sgraffito details, the work portrays a solemn, stylized figure emerging from an atmospheric ground of crimson, ochre, deep teal, and midnight tones. The tactile, sculpted paint application captures the poetic and contemplative theatricality characteristic of Fukui's celebrated Showa-era works.

The stretched canvas measures 14.25 inches wide by 11.875 inches high by 1 inch deep and is accompanied by its separate original backing board, which measures 15 inches wide by 12.5 inches high. The reverse of the backing board bears the artist's handwritten black ink inscription featuring both the title Marionette (マリオネット) and his signature, Fukui Masaharu
(福井マサハル).

Executed in oil on canvas with a sculpted plaster/gesso impasto ground, creating dramatic relief, carved line work, and rich textural depth characteristic of Fukui's museum works

About the Artist & Provenance

Masaharu Fukui graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts (Tokyo Geidai) in 1949 and was an active exhibitor with the Kokugakai and Zendo-ten art societies in Hokkaido. His work is held in regional Japanese public collections, including the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art and the Obihiro Museum of Art. This piece was acquired directly from the artist in Hokkaido, Japan and has remained preserved in private hands until now.

Dimensions:
Width: 14 1/4 inches
Height: 11 7/8 inches
Depth: 1 inches See less