Eishōsai Chōki
Japanese, 1780 - 1809
CountryJapan
BiographyLittle is known of the artist Chôki beyond the fact that he studied in Sekien’s studio along side of Utamaro. As a result, his art reflects the influence of both Sekien and Utamaro, and at times something of the Sharaku manner. His work is quite uneven, but among the ordinary prints are a small number of real pieces that are full of poetic atmosphere. His close-up compositions rank with the best in the world. His art names include Momokawa, Shikô and Shôtei. (HAL)- - - - - - -
(Catalog card notes as: worked 1760s to early 1800s)
Our artist studied with Utamaro in the studio of Toriyama Sekien. His art shows the direct influence of these two artists along with something of Harunobu's sweetness and Sharaku's boldness. He also used the artist name, Shikö. As with Utamaro, his earliest work seems strongly influenced by Torii Kiyonaga. He was most famous for his half-length portraits (often with secondary figures) done around 1795. The ukiyo-e critic, Mr. Charles Mitchell sums up the essence of his art with the following remarks: "These works are based on the primacy of the human figure, set in strained poses, willfully distorted and elongated. It is essentially a Mannerist style, subjective and emotional."
SUMMARY:
Although Chöki studied together with Utamaro and was influenced by that artist, and even Sharaku at a later date, Chöki's art at its best has always somewhat baffled the critic. His greatest art (only a dozen or so prints) evokes a poetic atmosphere not unlike that of Harunobu, and most of his idealized girl studies owe much to the art of this earlier master. We believe that in his best work he emulates the same quality that Harunobu was able to evoke -- yet with pictorial devices and influences of a later age.
Research by: Howard A. Link.
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