- Zakuro ni Budou (Pomegranates and Grapes) -

This extremely rare woodblock print, 'Zakuro ni Budou' (Pomegranates and Grapes), is by Kiyochika Kobayashi (1847–1915). The print beautifully depicts pomegranates and grapes arranged on a small table. Many Japanese painters of that time created works influenced by Western still-life paintings, driven by their admiration for Western art and their exploration of techniques. Specifically, various artists focused on expressing the torn fruit and the play of light in the pomegranate motif. Kiyochika Kobayashi's print illuminates pomegranates and grapes with a play of light and shadow, showcasing splendid technique. It was printed during the Meiji era (1879-1881). The artist's signature is located in the lower right, and the publisher is Heikichi Matsuki. This print is held in the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto; the Tokyo National Museum; the Minneapolis Institute of Art; and the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution. Technique: Woodblock Paper size: 15 x 10 inches (38