MEDSAN - Mirror of the Cranes (鶴の鏡) - UNIQUE WORK

THERE IS ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD - EDITION 1/1

With this square-format work, Medsan reveals a more contemplative and refined facet of his universe, drawing directly from the great masters of classical Japanese painting and the art of Rinpa school gilded screens. This unique giclée features a geisha in the sacred intimacy of her toilette — a young woman with ivory skin, raven hair cascading over her shoulders, arranged in a traditional bun adorned with a gold kanzashi — captured in the suspended, graceful gesture as she adjusts her hairstyle before a polished bronze mirror.

The magic of the composition lies in its perfectly circular construction, which places the scene inside a gold medallion evoking the Edo period fusuma and byobu screens. Dressed in a sumptuous deep red kimono embroidered with gold phoenixes with wings spread, the geisha is kneeling on a braided tatami facing her mirror, surrounded by a universe of precious objects: lacquered boxes opened to reveal makeup brushes and adornments, porcelain vases filled with immaculate white lilies, incense whose wisps of smoke dance in the air. Above her, two pairs of majestic cranes (tsuru) fly in perfect symmetry, symbols of longevity, fidelity, and conjugal happiness in Japanese tradition. On either side, two hanging scrolls (kakemono) bear calligraphic inscriptions, sealing the spiritual dimension of the moment.

The impact of the composition is masterfully highlighted by the contrast between the black ink background, punctuated by gold leaf gleams and suspended sakura petals, and the central golden circle that radiates like a sun or full moon. The delicate line, the precision of the textile motifs, and the rigorous balance of the layout testify to a deep reverence for classical Japanese painting, while infusing it with a contemporary sensitivity in the treatment of details and light. The work celebrates the beauty of daily gesture elevated to ritual, this suspended moment between the intimate and the sacred that defined the art of living for courtesans of the golden age.

A contemplative piece, at once aesthetic, poetic, and deeply refined, ideal for bringing a touch of classic Japanese elegance, spirituality, and sophistication to a design-conscious, contemporary interior.

Technical specifications:

Artist: Medsan
Reference: Geisha / Mirror / Toilette / Cranes / Phoenix / Kimono / Gold Leaf / Rinpa / Byobu Screen / Classical Japanese Art
Dimensions: 40 × 40 cm
Edition: Unique artwork — 1/1 (one-of-a-kind in the world)
Year: 2026
Support: Giclée mounted on wooden panel (thickness approx. 2 cm)
Signature: Yes, signed in the cartouche and by hand
Condition: Excellent condition
Certificate: Certificate of authenticity (upon request)

About the Atelier:

Atelier Joconde is a collective of artists united around a living and plural contemporary creation. Established as a true artistic production space, the studio operates both in collaborative creation and in individual approaches, depending on the projects and works. Atelier Joconde is also a family adventure. Le Yack, a contemporary figurative painter, develops a narrative and introspective body of work with cinematic and realistic influences. At his side, Medsan, oriented toward pop art painting, explores color, modern iconography, and visual culture. Finally, Neo Pablo pursues a more instinctive inquiry, blending abstract art, outsider art, and figurative abstraction. Each work is conceived, created, and overseen within the studio, with a shared artistic standard and an identity of its own for each artist.

Keywords:

Medsan, Atelier Joconde, Le Yack, Geisha, Mirror, Toilette, Kimono, Phoenix, Cranes, Tsuru, Sakura, Lily, Incense, Kanzashi, Tatami, Kakemono, Calligraphy, Gold Leaf, Rinpa, Byobu Screen, Classical Japanese Art, Edo, Ukiyo-e, Japanese Print, Beauty, Femininity, Spirituality, Ritual, Contemplation, Square Format, Red, Gold, Black, Elegance, Refinement, Unique Work, 1/1