Kobayashi Kiyochika, "Braving the Bitter Cold at Camp Yingkuo"

Kobayashi Kiyochika produced many senso-e (war pictures) in his career as a woodblock print artist. This work is one of his stand-out designs produced as propaganda to celebrate the heroism of Japanese troops during the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) and captures Kiyochika's unique talent for crafting impressive atmospheric works. Here, we see a group of soldiers resting during the Battle of Yingkuo (Manchuria) enduring a snowstorm and huddling around campfires while a soldier on horseback patrols. The expert use of light in the printing to show the comfort of a fire is a striking contrast to the darkness in the left half of the composition. Equally impressive is the light bouncing off the falling snow.

Date: 1895
Size: Oban Triptych (each sheet approx. 9.5" x 14.5")
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi
Condition: Excellent/fine color and condition (full margins)

Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915) is one of Japan's Meiji-era's most important artists whose works were an amalgam of Western style painting and Japanese print design. Trained as a painter, his works are a faithful reflection of the enormous changes taking place during the modernization of Meiji-period Japan.

Custom matting available for triptych prints. Sizes will be determined for best presentation in consultation with customer - overall size range will be 20" - 22" (height) X 38" - 40" (width). Note that additional shipping charges apply (sorry, no international shipping available for matted triptychs).