News-Antique.com - Aug 17,2011 - Artfact Live! presents live online bidding on the rare prints of Paul Jacoulet (1896-1960) on August 24, 2011. The auction features 104 extraordinary prints by the renowned printmaker, dubbed the “Frenchman of the woodblock print” by post war collectors. For additional information, or to bid live online from anywhere in the world on Artfact Live! please visit www.Artfact.com.
After World War II, the 163 surviving printed portraits and full body images by Jacoulet became rapidly famous. Among his admirers and collectors were General Douglas MacArthur, Greta Garbo, Pope Pius XII and Queen Elizabeth II. Jacoulet was a superb colorist, employing lavish amounts of gold, silver and powdered semi-precious stones on handmade, watermarked paper. His unrivaled draftsmanship and technique – he was known to use up to 60 different blocks for a single print – account for the ever-expanding demand for Jacoulet’s surviving work.
Highlighting the auction is an important untitled print known as Une Parisienne. The print was published November 26, 1934 and is believed to be a portrait of a western woman who inspired Jacoulet to become a portraitist. Une Parisienne is a glowing example of the artist’s inventive techniques and his interest in aristocratic and exotic subject matter. Editions of this impressive print have sold on the auction block for up to $25,000. The print, numbered 10/150, is signed in pencil by the artist and contains the seal of the carver, Kazuo Yamagishi. Notably the gem of the 104 lots offered, Une Parisienne is expected to sell for $15,000 - $20,000.
Also offered is a series of 7 prints entitled Rainbow Series – Seven Chamorro Women of Guam. Known for their vibrant colors, each portrait bares the name of its primary base color: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. Paul Jacoulet is best known for his remarkable portraits of the natives of Asia and the South Seas. Voyages through the islands of Saipan and Truk in 1929 inspired this first attempt at a series of related prints, also referred to as the Seven Women of the South Seas or The Rainbow. Master carvers Kazuo Yamagishi and Kentaro Maeda, frequent collaborators of Jacoulet, contributed their skills to the project. Each print contains the stamped signature of Paul Jacoulet and date of 1934 beside the Baren seal. The Series is estimated to bring $11,500 - $13,000.
A Set of Five Manchurian Princess Prints ($10,000 - $12,000) is also crossing the block at this important auction. This lavish series of prints draws inspiration from the magnificent gowns and intricate coiffures of the wives of dignitaries attending an official reception at the Palace of Seoul. The 5 prints, entitled Le Bocal de Poissons, Avant l'Audience, La Favorite, La Confidente, Dans la Loge Officielle respectively, include the original brocade folder with description "Cinq gravures sur bois representant des Dames Chinoises et Mandchoues". All were published April 15, 1942 and are numbered 26/150 with printed date and signature in ink by Jacoulet above the Bat seal.
