Hand Drawn Illustration of Two Dogs by photographer and artist Shimooka Renjo
[Japan] Beautifully drawn illustration of two dogs. Shimooka Renjo (1823-1914) was basically the first Japanese photographer to become well known. He was also an accomplished painter and studied under Kano Tosen Nakanobu (1811-71). Renjo took the artist name 'Toen' and at the lower right is written, 'Kano Tosen Hogen Monjin' ('Member of the school of Kano Tosen') and then 'Toen hitsu' ('Drawn by Toen') with the red seal reading 'Toen'. Drawn on fine Japanese paper that has been mounted onto a slightly thicker sheet of paper. The original, fine paper may have been folded at some point but not since having been backed. Very scarce as this appears to be an early drawing as Renjo would later draw images signed Renjo and indicating his age.
Single sheet. 35.6 x 26.8cm.
In good to very good condition. General age wear and some darkening at edges. A few old worm trails on the paper the illustrations were drawn on but has been nicely backed so they don't stand out. Old repair on rear. a33030877
