Kitao Shigemasa
Japanese, 1739 - 1820
* Different info from catalog card: "As a young man he was employed by the publisher, Suwari-ya, and was probably adopted by the publisher's family."
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Shigemasa was the son of an Edo publisher, and was really one of the most popular "ukiyo-e" artists of his day. He was able to appeal to the taste of the time, although if we were to judge his work today, we would be forced to admit that it is not very original. His signed prints are relatively rare. At his best, he exhibits an excellent draftsmanship, particularly in his rare, unsigned geisha series. His figures reveal a canon halfway between Harunobu and the tall statuesque figures of Kiyonaga.
Research by: Howard A. Link.
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