Hiroshi Yoshida (1876 - 1950) Japan. Watercolor on Paper. Measure 6 1/4"in H x 9 1/4"in W and 14 1/2"in H x 17 3/4"in W with frame. "Hiroshi Yoshida was a leading figure in the 'shin hanga' (or new print) movement. He worked primarily as a painter until his late forties when he became fascinated with woodblock printing. After working with the Watanabe print shop for several years, Yoshida decided to fund his own workshop. Unlike ukiyo-e artists, he was intimately involved in all parts of the printmaking process. He designed the key blocks, chose the colors for the prints, and supervised the printers. In some cases, he even helped to carve the printing blocks. This was unusual, considering the traditional division of labor between designer, carver, and printer at that time." "The majority of Yoshida's prints are richly detailed landscapes, featuring such diverse subjects as the Sphinx, the Taj Mahal, and Mount Rainier. Yoshida travelled frequently, and made sketching and painting trips all around the world. He was an avid mountain climber, and is noted for his depiction of alpine scenes. He also was remarkably skilled at depicting water, with its intricate reflections and complex flow patterns. Yoshida's prints were very popular with Western collectors, and he was one of the only shin hanga artists to sign and title his prints in English."