Sadao Watanabe. Figurative Prints
Japanese, 1913-1998
Sadao Watanabe, born in Tokyo in 1913, used the medium called kappazuri ("stencil printing"), a technique related to 'katazome' ("stencil dyeing"). 'Katazome' is said to have originated in Okinawa (the method there was called 'bingata'). The paper most widely used in Japan for stencil printing is called 'shibugami', made from several layers of 'kozo' paper laminated with persimmon tannin. The sheets are dried and smoke-cured to strengthen them and make them flexible and waterproof. Once the artist makes a drawing, it is fixed to the 'shibugami' with a thin adhesive. The basic pattern is then carved into a "key impression" stencil (the equivalent to the keyblock in woodblock printing) called the 'omogata'. If colors will also be used for the final design, separate stencils are sometimes cut for each color. If the stencil pattern has thin lines they can be reinforced with silk gauze, which still allow for uniform printing of colors. The first stage of the printing process involves the application and drying of a dye-resist paste to cover all the portions of the design to be left unprinted by the design. The patterns and colors can then be brushed over the stencil while affecting only those areas without resist paste. Typically the first colors printed are the lighter areas so that darker colors can be overprinted. After all the colors are printed and dried, the key impression stencil is finally used to print the key design over all the previous colors. The dye resist paste is then washed off (called 'mizumoto', "to wash by water") and the paper is dried on a wood board. Watanabe typically printed on a colored ground, so he would first apply a color to the paper.
Watanabe, who was baptized a Christian in 1930, based his designs exclusively on Biblical subjects, though his Christian stories and figures are interpreted through a filter of traditional Japanese techniques and even some older Buddhist figure prints. The folk-art movement in Japan began in the 1930s as an attempt to keep alive various traditional arts, among them stencil printing. Watanabe was an early member of a small but important group of artists who dedicated themselves to learning and preserving these arts. Watanabe's emotioonally moving Biblical prints are have been popular throughout the world, and have been hung in the Vatican, the White House, in museums and in private collections.to
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Artist: Sadao Watanabe.
GIRLS WITH LOTS OF QUAILS
By Sadao Watanabe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
SADAO WATANABE (Japanese 1913-1996)
GIRLS WITH LOTS OF QUAILS, 1965
鶉と少女
Hand colored stencil print on momigami textured paper. Signed and numbered in white. Edition 50, Image 17 x 2...
Category
1960s Modern Sadao Watanabe. Figurative Prints
Materials
Stencil
$1,150 Sale Price
23% Off
Moses Smiting the Rock of Meribah, Exodus
By Sadao Watanabe
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork, "Moses Smiting the Rock of Meribah, Exodus" 1972 is an original color stencil on hand crumpled momigami paper. It is hand signed, dated and numbered 47/70 in White ink by the artist. The artwork size is 27.5 x 24.75 inches, framed size is 39 x 36 inches. It is custom framed in a wooden gold frame, with matting and black color spacer. It is in excellent condition, Please NOTE, the dark area at the lower left corner of the frame is only the shadow, the frame is in perfect condition.
About the artist:
Sadao Watanabe born and raised in Tokyo, was a Japanese printmaker in the 20th Century. He was famous for his Biblical prints rendered in the mingei (folk art) tradition of Japan. As a student of the master textile dye artist Serizawa Keisuke...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Sadao Watanabe. Figurative Prints
Materials
Stencil
Jonah
By Sadao Watanabe
Located in Santa Monica, CA
SADAO WATANABE (Japanese 1913-1996)
JONAH, 1959
Color stencil, signed, numbered and dated in white ink. Sheet, 25 5/8 x 22 5/8 inches. Edition: 44/50. Good color and generally good ...
Category
1950s Modern Sadao Watanabe. Figurative Prints
Materials
Woodcut, Stencil
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Three Men Defending a Fort
By Sadao Watanabe
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork, "Three Men Defending a Fort" 1972 is an original color stencil on hand crumpled momigami paper. It is hand signed, dated and numbered 5/20 in black ink by the artist. The artwork size is 26.5 x 22.5 inches, framed size is 36 x 31.75 inches. It is custom framed in a wooden gold frame, with fabric matting and black color spacer. It is in excellent condition.
About the artist:
Sadao Watanabe born and raised in Tokyo, was a Japanese printmaker in the 20th Century. He was famous for his Biblical prints rendered in the mingei (folk art) tradition of Japan. As a student of the master textile dye artist Serizawa Keisuke...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Sadao Watanabe. Figurative Prints
Materials
Stencil
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Sadao Watanabe. figurative prints for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Sadao Watanabe. figurative prints available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of figurative prints to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Sadao Watanabe. in stencil, paper, paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Sadao Watanabe. figurative prints, so small editions measuring 18 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Utagawa Kunisada III, Katsushika Hokusai, and Jean Helion. Sadao Watanabe. figurative prints prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,500 and tops out at $2,550, while the average work can sell for $2,400.