Framed Rare Japanese Woodblock Print Le Lotus Noir Chine by Paul Jacoulet

A Japanese Woodblock print by Paul Jacoulet (French, 1896-1960) entitled Le Lotus Noir, Chine (The Black Lotus, China) presented in an impressive gilt wood frame. The print, created in 1959, is relatively rare, with only one edition of 350 but fewer than 60 impression realized. Carved by Maeda and printed by Honda, the print features an unusually modern composition of the "floating figure" by the artist and a sober palette in gray and black on a silver mica splashed background. The pipe-smoking model has a rather androgynous appearance dressed in dark monotone outfit overprinted with Urushi in shades of black and grey with Karazuri (Gauffrage) details. The "cloud shoulder" collar with lotus petals reveals the secret of the title.
Signed in plate and with the artist's red peony ink stamp center right. Printed title in lower right margin, and carver's and printer's seals in lower right margin. Marked with PJ elaborate version stamp exposed in a mini-window verso. All shown through the framing. The sight of the print image size is 12" x 15.5". With a large elaborate black and gilt frame, it measures 31" by 26.5" in.
Reference: No 159 "The Prints of Paul Jacoulet: A Complete Illustrated Catalog by Richard Miles.
An eccentric artist of his time, Paul Jacoulet was born in France but lived most his life in Japan. He is considered as one of the few western artists who have mastered the art of woodblock printing sufficiently to be recognized in Japan. Largely rooted in traditional Japanese woodblock printing techniques and ukiyo-e style, the artist developed a unique and recognizable style infused with his own aesthetic vision and technical approaches that set himself apart from Japanese artists. Nearly all portraits, Jacoulet depicted a wide range of people he encountered in his extensive travelling in the Far East as well as South Pacific. Often in their traditional outfits and surrounded by endogenous flora and props, his models often convey a more western sense of pose, with some directly confronting the viewers. Jacoulet occupies a special place in the world of ukiyo-e, the artist formed a bridge between the East and West.