Name/Title

Abstruse

Entry/Object ID

1972.2.38

Description

Japanese woodblock print titled "Abstruse" (1964) by Yoshida Toshi.

Artwork Details

Medium

Paper, Ink

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Yoshida Toshi

Role

Artist

Date made

1964

Time Period

20th Century

Dimensions

Height

16 in

Width

21-1/2 in

Interpretative Labels

Label

Yoshida embraced the newer trends of the 1950s and began experimenting with abstraction. Abstruse, which means obscure, illustrates the ambiguity seen in many of his later pieces. In the lower right corner of the print, a fencelike form emerges under what appears to be a night sky. This captivating piece invites several interpretations, allowing viewers to reflect on Yoshida’s connection to landscape, now expressed in an abstract way. He learned many of his skills from his father, well-known printmaker Yoshida Hiroshi, as well as from his travels to different places around the world. Following his father’s death he moved away from traditional Japanese print styles.

Label Type

Credit Line

Label

Label written by Mary LaRosa

Label Type

Credit Line

Label

Gift of the Friends of Art Collection at Saint Joseph’s University