Lot #59: Original Signed Chine Collè Print - Yuji Hiratsuka - Year of the Rat (Male)

Description: One of two Year of the Rat (2020) Season's Greatings holiday gift. Yuji Hiratsuka has confirmed that these designs were limited as gifts to closer personal friends and family members. Mr. Hiratsuka creates a small series of holiday themed gifts for those dearest to him each year with the subject matching the Chinese Zodiac. They have never been offered to the public. Chine Coll is a specialized Printmaking technique. The following is Mr. Hiratsuka explains the process best in his own words:

"My personal technique using Chine Coll with traditional and innovative etching is the following:

With continuous alterations to a copper plate I print a sequence of black, yellow, red and blue, passing the same plate through the press for each design and color change.

To start with; the first tones to the plate are given with line etching, drypoint, aquatint, softground, photocopy transfer or roulette. I pull my first color. With these first impressions, I work back into the plate with a scraper, burnisher and emery paper to enhance the lights and accent the motif. I then go on to the second, third and fourth colors.

Finally, the print is completed from the back with a relief process of woodcut or linocut to intensify shapes and/or colors.

I print on the paper which best suits my work; this is a thin Japanese paper known as Toyama Kozo (Japanese Mulberry). As in the French use of Chine Colle I apply glue to the back of the Kozo print and pass it through the press, with a heavier rag paper (BFK Rives or Somerset, etc.) beneath. What the viewer sees; is my four color intaglio print saturated with subtle tones that come through the back of a Toyama Kozo paper which is set deep into a rag paper."

Artist: Yuji Hiratsuka has become an international sensation. Known and listed, Mr. Hiratsuka has been presented in over 50 one-man and group exhibitions throughout Asia, American and Europe. His works are held in private collections and museums throughout the world. Born in 1954 in Osaka, Japan, he studied at Tokyo Gakugei University, graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Art Education in 1978. Mr. Hiratsuka moved to the United States in 1985 obtaining a Masters of Arts in printmaking from New Mexico State University. He received his Masters of Fine Arts in printmaking in 1990 from Indiana University. Today, Mr. Hiratsuka continues his tenure as an Associate Professor in the Department of Art at Oregon State University. 

Condition: The artwork is in excellent original condition. The frame is basic and does show minor wear from previous ownership. The glass display is clear with no marks. The verso is in good condition with no marking.

Provenance: This piece was purchased from a charitable organization in Lacey, Washington. While the previous owner is unknown, the collection has been authenticated through direct contact with Mr. Hiratsuka. A pair of 2020 Year of the Rat prints from the acquired collection are significant as Mr. Hiratsuka stated that these were holiday cards sent only to close friends and family.  Copies of the email communication will be provided to the buyer upon request. 

Condition: Good used condition - See description for detail
Measurements: Framed - 12.5 x 10.5 x 2