Katsu HAMANAKA (1895-1982) - Lot 129

Lot n° 129
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Estimation :
30000 - 40000 EUR
Katsu HAMANAKA (1895-1982) - Lot 129
Katsu HAMANAKA (1895-1982) Musicians and dancers circa 1935 Very important red lacquer panel with gilding Signed lower left with calligraphy 110 x 200 cm (Small accidents and missing, stains) Born in 1895 on Okkaido Island in Japan, Katsu Hamanaka studied applied arts in Tokyo, notably with the great Japanese lacquerer, Katsutaro Yamazaki. Attracted by the West, Hamanaka went to France in 1924 with his wife, where he came into contact with the master lacquerer Seizo Sugawara with whom he deepened his technique of traditional Japanese lacquer. He settled in a workshop at 7, cité Falguière in Paris. Fascinated by the work of lacquer, Hamanaka chooses to practice this art in the purest Japanese craft tradition. He perfected his technique by having all the necessary documentation, tools and raw materials sent from Japan. His style is, at the beginning, inspired by traditional Japanese geometric patterns. In Paris, he discovered Western culture and art and then, around 1934-35, he evolved towards a more figurative style, corresponding to the French taste and artistic expression of the time. From 1929, Hamanaka began to exhibit his work regularly in the Parisian salons (Salon des Artistes Indépendants, Salon d' utomne, Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, Salon des Tuileries). He presents mainly screens in lacquer of Japan, more rarely monumental decorative panels and pieces of furniture in collaboration with decorators in vogue at the time, such as Jules Leleu, Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann, Dominique, Jacques Adnet In 1931, he participates in particular, alongside Jules Leleu, in the furnishing of a luxury apartment of the liner L'tlantique. Archival documents indicate that in 1935, Katsu Hamanaka and his wife spent some time on the Zur coast. Between a traditional technique of exceptional quality and a resolutely modern style, Hamanaka was praised by the critics and received the Grand Prix for his monumental panel representing the Three Graces presented at the 1937 International Exhibition of Arts and Techniques in Paris. Lot put back on sale following default of payment by Mr James CLIFORD - USA
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