Toyohara Chikanobu triptych c. 1890's. Three Japanese Courtesans painted in three panels. I believe these three hand painted Geisha woodblock panels, and the other triptych is from Chikanobu's series on the Ladies of Chiyoda Palace, c. 1870's. Listed in Davenports. More vintage and antique Paintings and Illustrations

CONDITION: Paper is old and frail but intact. There is a minor tear at the edge that would be covered when matted and framed.

SIZE: 17 1/2" x 11"

CHIKANOBU, HASHIMOTO - "Yoshu Chikanobu (1838-1912) was a popular artist in the Meiji period, the era from 1868 to 1912 when Japan underwent rapid westernization and the emperor was reinstated as ruler.

Toyohara Chikanobu 豊原 周延 is an important Meiji artist and his prints have become quite popular among collectors. Much more attention has been given this artist with the 2006 publication of Bruce Coats' definitive book on the artist.

Chikanobu was a student of Toyohara Kunichika and his original name was Hashimoto. He took both the last name and the second part of chika of his master's first name. He signed his prints usually with Yoshu Chikanobu or Yoshu Chikanobu hitsu. Favorite subjects of Chikanobu were historical and mythological legends and histories from Japan's past and genre scenes with women and children. The percentage of triptychs among the prints by the artist is higher than any other artist of the Meiji period.

Among his best known series are triptychs showing court life in and around the Chiyoda Palace.

Like many other print designers of these years, Chikanobu worked with subjects of traditional Japanese woodblock prints, such as actors, courtesans, famous sites, and beautiful women, while at first reflecting western conventions in art and picturing current events, such as the Saigo Rebellion and various battles of the Sino-Japanese War. In fact, his prints are frequent illustrations in history books about the Meiji era.

However, he later changed his approach and embraced more traditional themes stemming from his recollections of life in old Edo, before the modern period ushered in by the Meiji emperor." ['Chikanobu: Modernity and Nostalgia in Japanese Prints' - Vassar College]