Yoshitomo Nara In the Floating World, What’s Going On? 1999, Offered as Hand-Signed, Edition 41 of 50, Framed
Yoshitomo Nara In the Floating World, What’s Going On? 1999, Offered as Hand-Signed, Edition 41 of 50, Framed
Condition report
Good
- Giftable
- Mint
- Excellent
- Very Good
- Good
- Honest Wear
- As Found
Edo Beauty, Interrupted
Nara draws over a classic print of a courtesan and lets his own world leak into hers: a dog, a road sign, a flower in a box. The series is his most direct exchange with the ukiyo-e tradition.
Best for: Collectors of Nara editions and of contemporary responses to ukiyo-e
Condition notes
Described as generally well preserved, with minor marks of age; the frame is an accessory and may show handling wear.
Grades, ratings and commentary are given to the best of our ability, knowledge and experience, and condition remains partly a matter of personal perception. What we stand behind without qualification is authenticity, truthful description and provenance, to the best of our knowledge. How we grade
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A courtesan from an Edo woodblock print looks down in alarm, a small dog trots past in a ruff, and red crayon letters ask What’s going on? This is a sheet from In the Floating World by Yoshitomo Nara, offered as hand-signed and numbered 41/50, framed.
The Piece
In 1999 Yoshitomo Nara took a group of classic ukiyo-e images and drew straight over them, adding his own characters, slogans and small acts of mischief, then issued the results as a portfolio of colour prints titled In the Floating World. The series has become one of the most studied of his print projects, because it shows him in open conversation with the history of Japanese pictures.
In this sheet a standing beauty in a black robe and a seated attendant are joined by a no-entry sign, a flower glowing from a black box lettered I don’t know, and a spotted dog leaving a trail of bones. The courtesan’s face has been redrawn with wide, startled eyes. The humour is quick, but the composition of the original print is respected throughout.
The work is described as recorded in the Yoshitomo Nara online catalogue raisonné under number YNF2563, and as a Fuji Xerox colour print bearing the pencil signature, the date ’99 and the edition number in the lower margin.
Details
- Artist: Yoshitomo Nara (born 1959)
- Title: In the Floating World: What’s Going On?
- Year: 1999
- Medium: Fuji Xerox colour print on paper, as described
- Edition: Offered as numbered 41/50
- Signature: Offered as hand-signed in pencil and dated ’99
- Reference: Online catalogue raisonné no. YNF2563, as described
- Image size: 37 x 28 cm (14.6 x 11.0 in)
- Frame size: 53 x 41 cm (20.9 x 16.1 in)
- Presentation: Pale wood frame with ivory mount
Condition
- Described as in generally good, well-preserved condition, with the minor marks of age expected of a sheet from 1999.
- The frame is included as an accessory and may show light handling wear.
Condition grade B (good) on the Japanese scale; see Japanese condition ranks, explained. The sheet has not been examined out of its frame.
Authenticity & Care
The signature, numbering and catalogue reference are given as described by the present custodian, a specialist dealer in books and prints who offers the work as authentic; a team of curators at the Desk reviews the documentation before dispatch. Keep the work away from direct sunlight and humidity.
Delivery from Japan
Shipped from Japan in its frame, insured and tracked, with freight quoted individually by our Tokyo, Japan concierge team. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Every sale is final; please ask anything you wish to know before you buy, and see our published policy.
Considered offers are welcome through Send an Offer, and each one is reviewed personally. Pieces over $1,000 may be reserved over several payments with Layaway Privilege™.
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