Isoda Koryusai (1735-1790) Lovers, from the Series: Sumo Taizen.
![Isoda Koryusai (1735-1790) Lovers, from the Series: Sumo Taizen. - Asian Art Isoda Koryusai (1735-1790) Lovers, from the Series: Sumo Taizen. - Asian Art](/fileadmin/lot-images/39Y220407/normal/isoda-koryusai-1735-1790-liebende-aus-der-serie-sumo-taizen-8020551.jpg)
A copy of Isoda Koryusai’s bound book (no. FSC-GR-780.2) is preserved in the collection of Dr. Gerhard Pulverer at the Freer Gallery of Art (Washington). The series consists of twelve sheets in chuban format. Pages 14-15 feature a woodcut signed Koryu ga, which proves Koryusai’s authorship. The sheet made available to Gordon Friese, Dormund, as a photograph corresponds to pages 20-21 in the volume from the Pulverer Collection and is unsigned. According to Friese, both sheets were printed from the same original woodblocks (in around 1770). The present sheet displays more pubic hair on the woman and the man’s kimono is coloured differently. The scene depicts a woman in a shell-pattern kimono (an erotic allusion) and a man making love. Next to them is a kotatsu (heating table) on which lies a book titled "Sumo taizen" (Everything about Sumo). One volume of the book falls to the floor precisely because of the man’s violent movements. In the background is a screen with a carp motif, which is a symbol of male strength. The sheet is trimmed all around (with minor loss of text on the left side). It is faded and shows a centrefold. A humidity stain to the lower left (see Allan Hockley, “The prints of Isoda Koryusai”, Seattle and London, 2003, p. 285, no. 7 [Shunga]), attached to support, 18.3 x 24.4 cm, mounted, (CT)
07.04.2022 - 14:09
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 300.-
Isoda Koryusai (1735-1790) Lovers, from the Series: Sumo Taizen.
A copy of Isoda Koryusai’s bound book (no. FSC-GR-780.2) is preserved in the collection of Dr. Gerhard Pulverer at the Freer Gallery of Art (Washington). The series consists of twelve sheets in chuban format. Pages 14-15 feature a woodcut signed Koryu ga, which proves Koryusai’s authorship. The sheet made available to Gordon Friese, Dormund, as a photograph corresponds to pages 20-21 in the volume from the Pulverer Collection and is unsigned. According to Friese, both sheets were printed from the same original woodblocks (in around 1770). The present sheet displays more pubic hair on the woman and the man’s kimono is coloured differently. The scene depicts a woman in a shell-pattern kimono (an erotic allusion) and a man making love. Next to them is a kotatsu (heating table) on which lies a book titled "Sumo taizen" (Everything about Sumo). One volume of the book falls to the floor precisely because of the man’s violent movements. In the background is a screen with a carp motif, which is a symbol of male strength. The sheet is trimmed all around (with minor loss of text on the left side). It is faded and shows a centrefold. A humidity stain to the lower left (see Allan Hockley, “The prints of Isoda Koryusai”, Seattle and London, 2003, p. 285, no. 7 [Shunga]), attached to support, 18.3 x 24.4 cm, mounted, (CT)
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Auction: | Asian Art |
Auction type: | Online auction |
Date: | 07.04.2022 - 14:09 |
Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
Exhibition: | 1.04. - 07.04. 2022 |