Hagiwara Hideo Large-Scale Woodblock Print "Clown No.3" – Limited Edition 50, Signed, 1969, Framed - Hagiwara Hideo - Japan - Shōwa period (1926-1989)
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Hagiwara Hideo's large‑scale 1969 woodblock print Clown No.3, limited to 50 impressions, hand‑signed and professionally framed, measures 74.5 cm by 49.3 cm and originates from Japan.
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Description from the seller
– Major work by Hagiwara Hideo (1913–2007), one of Japan's foremost post-war printmakers – Bold, large-format woodblock (67 cm × 41 cm) from 1969, limited to just 50 impressions – Hand-signed by the artist, professionally framed and ready for display
Summary: This is a large-format woodblock print by Hagiwara Hideo, one of the most significant figures in post-war Japanese printmaking. Titled Clown No.3 and produced in 1969, the work measures 67 cm by 41 cm and was printed in a limited edition of just 50 impressions. It is hand-signed by the artist and presented in a professional frame. Hagiwara's prints are celebrated for their powerful use of colour, bold graphic design, and expressive subject matter, and this work exemplifies his mature style. The piece is guaranteed authentic and comes from a period when the artist's international reputation was firmly established. It is suited to collectors of Japanese prints, post-war art, or expressive figurative imagery.
Hagiwara Hideo occupies a central position in the history of twentieth-century Japanese printmaking. Born in 1913, he came of age artistically in the turbulent years surrounding the Second World War, and his work reflects both the technical discipline of traditional woodblock printing and the expressive freedom of modern art. By the 1960s, when this print was made, Hagiwara had achieved international recognition, exhibiting widely in Europe and the United States.
His subject matter often turned to figures – circus performers, musicians, and other marginal or theatrical characters – rendered with a directness and emotional intensity that set his work apart from the more decorative tendencies of some Japanese printmaking. The clown, a recurring motif in his oeuvre, becomes a vehicle for exploring themes of performance, identity, and the human condition. There is nothing sentimental about Hagiwara's clowns; they are bold, graphic presences that command attention.
Clown No.3, produced in 1969, exemplifies Hagiwara's mature printmaking style. The large format allows for sweeping compositional gestures, while the limited edition of 50 impressions reflects the artist's commitment to maintaining quality and exclusivity. Each print in the edition was signed by hand, confirming its status as an original work of art rather than a mass-produced reproduction.
The woodblock technique, though traditional, is here employed with modernist boldness. Colour fields are large and decisive, forms are simplified and expressive, and the overall effect is one of graphic power. The print is framed and ready for display, making it suitable for immediate installation in a gallery, office, or private collection.
Hagiwara's prints are held in major museum collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the British Museum in London. His work is regularly featured in exhibitions on post-war Japanese art and remains highly regarded among collectors of twentieth-century printmaking. The combination of technical mastery, expressive subject matter, and historical importance makes his work a sound addition to any collection focused on modern Japanese art.
Condition of the print is consistent with age and careful storage. The frame is intact and the work is ready for display. As with all vintage prints, minor signs of age may be present, but these do not detract from the visual impact or historical significance of the piece.
For collectors seeking a major work by one of Japan's most important printmakers, this large-format woodblock offers both visual presence and art-historical substance. If the expressive power of post-war Japanese art resonates with you, this print invites closer consideration.
Shipping & Handling We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer's responsibility.
Seller Guarantee We specialise in authentic Japanese prints and guarantee this piece's authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours.
1191
Seller's Story
Hello, and thank you for visiting my page. I primarily handle Japanese antiques, as well as Western antiques, art pieces, and pre-loved items that have been cherished in Japan. Growing up in a family of historians—my grandfather was a historian and my father was an archaeologist—I have always been captivated by the eras and stories these historic objects and works of art carry with them.
My listings feature collections from both Japan and the West, pieces that have stood the test of time and remained beloved through the ages. Through these rare treasures, I hope to share with you the delight of ownership and discovery. As a professional, I strive for honest and sincere transactions to ensure customer satisfaction, always leveraging my experience and eye for quality.
I strongly believe in not letting buyers down, so I describe items as accurately and thoroughly as possible, prioritizing secure and careful packaging. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. It would be my pleasure to help enrich your collecting experience.
Thank you for your interest, and I look forward to doing business with you.
– Major work by Hagiwara Hideo (1913–2007), one of Japan's foremost post-war printmakers – Bold, large-format woodblock (67 cm × 41 cm) from 1969, limited to just 50 impressions – Hand-signed by the artist, professionally framed and ready for display
Summary: This is a large-format woodblock print by Hagiwara Hideo, one of the most significant figures in post-war Japanese printmaking. Titled Clown No.3 and produced in 1969, the work measures 67 cm by 41 cm and was printed in a limited edition of just 50 impressions. It is hand-signed by the artist and presented in a professional frame. Hagiwara's prints are celebrated for their powerful use of colour, bold graphic design, and expressive subject matter, and this work exemplifies his mature style. The piece is guaranteed authentic and comes from a period when the artist's international reputation was firmly established. It is suited to collectors of Japanese prints, post-war art, or expressive figurative imagery.
Hagiwara Hideo occupies a central position in the history of twentieth-century Japanese printmaking. Born in 1913, he came of age artistically in the turbulent years surrounding the Second World War, and his work reflects both the technical discipline of traditional woodblock printing and the expressive freedom of modern art. By the 1960s, when this print was made, Hagiwara had achieved international recognition, exhibiting widely in Europe and the United States.
His subject matter often turned to figures – circus performers, musicians, and other marginal or theatrical characters – rendered with a directness and emotional intensity that set his work apart from the more decorative tendencies of some Japanese printmaking. The clown, a recurring motif in his oeuvre, becomes a vehicle for exploring themes of performance, identity, and the human condition. There is nothing sentimental about Hagiwara's clowns; they are bold, graphic presences that command attention.
Clown No.3, produced in 1969, exemplifies Hagiwara's mature printmaking style. The large format allows for sweeping compositional gestures, while the limited edition of 50 impressions reflects the artist's commitment to maintaining quality and exclusivity. Each print in the edition was signed by hand, confirming its status as an original work of art rather than a mass-produced reproduction.
The woodblock technique, though traditional, is here employed with modernist boldness. Colour fields are large and decisive, forms are simplified and expressive, and the overall effect is one of graphic power. The print is framed and ready for display, making it suitable for immediate installation in a gallery, office, or private collection.
Hagiwara's prints are held in major museum collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the British Museum in London. His work is regularly featured in exhibitions on post-war Japanese art and remains highly regarded among collectors of twentieth-century printmaking. The combination of technical mastery, expressive subject matter, and historical importance makes his work a sound addition to any collection focused on modern Japanese art.
Condition of the print is consistent with age and careful storage. The frame is intact and the work is ready for display. As with all vintage prints, minor signs of age may be present, but these do not detract from the visual impact or historical significance of the piece.
For collectors seeking a major work by one of Japan's most important printmakers, this large-format woodblock offers both visual presence and art-historical substance. If the expressive power of post-war Japanese art resonates with you, this print invites closer consideration.
Shipping & Handling We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer's responsibility.
Seller Guarantee We specialise in authentic Japanese prints and guarantee this piece's authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours.
1191
Seller's Story
Hello, and thank you for visiting my page. I primarily handle Japanese antiques, as well as Western antiques, art pieces, and pre-loved items that have been cherished in Japan. Growing up in a family of historians—my grandfather was a historian and my father was an archaeologist—I have always been captivated by the eras and stories these historic objects and works of art carry with them.
My listings feature collections from both Japan and the West, pieces that have stood the test of time and remained beloved through the ages. Through these rare treasures, I hope to share with you the delight of ownership and discovery. As a professional, I strive for honest and sincere transactions to ensure customer satisfaction, always leveraging my experience and eye for quality.
I strongly believe in not letting buyers down, so I describe items as accurately and thoroughly as possible, prioritizing secure and careful packaging. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. It would be my pleasure to help enrich your collecting experience.
Thank you for your interest, and I look forward to doing business with you.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
Shōwa period (1926-1989)
No. of items
1
Artist
Hagiwara Hideo
Country of Origin
Japan
Height
74.5 cm
Width
49.3 cm
Title of artwork
Hagiwara Hideo Large-Scale Woodblock Print "Clown No.3" – Limited Edition 50, Signed, 1969, Framed
Condition
Fair condition
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