Grapes

This work is one of six in a suite of mezzotints in the collection. In this suite, Hamaguchi Yozo reveals a distillation of motifs, technique, and aesthetic attitude, applied with a deft eye for balance and hallmark selectivity. The six motifs—a ball of yarn pierced by a needle, grapes, cherries, asparagus, pomegranate, and ladybugs—are familiar subjects appearing in various combinations, sizes, and compositions throughout Hamaguchi’s body of prints in this medium.

The importance of simplified decorative motifs seen in this series—in, for example, the four roundly modeled cherries resting on stripes of subtly toned color—derives from the Japanese aesthetic tradition where placement, pattern, and selectivity are highly valued. It is this reverence, this simple, modest, carefully considered approach that especially links Hamaguchi with his Japanese heritage.