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Lot Essay
'More important than a work of art itself is its effect. Art can pass away, a picture can be destroyed. What counts is the long-lasting impact.' --JOAN MIRO
It is undeniable that this early work Untitled (Lot 447) by Yoshihara Jiro evokes the world of the Surrealists, an organized movement led by Andre Breton in Paris, whose manifesto defended unleashing the expression of our subconscious imagination in any artistic form. Yoshihara's close relationship with Tsuguharu (Leonard) Foujita, who had left for Paris provided him with wide exposure to the international artistic preoccupations of the time and largely contributed to his personal artistic development from a very early stage. Yoshihara expanded the surrealist way of expression through his Gutai Art Manifesto: "When matter remains intact and exposes its characteristics, it starts telling a story and even cries out. To make the fullest use of matter is to make use of spirit. By enhancing spirit, matter is brought to the height of the spirit."
His crucial role in the creation of the Gutai came at the conclusion of fruitful years of self-reflection, study and experience of his country's history, and a desire to build a new version of reality through the mastery of a vital energy. Untitled is an important historical piece as part of his experiments with the Surrealist movement, which were essential to nourishing his reflections on modes of expression resulting in the creation of the Gutai and ultimately his Circle series.
It is undeniable that this early work Untitled (Lot 447) by Yoshihara Jiro evokes the world of the Surrealists, an organized movement led by Andre Breton in Paris, whose manifesto defended unleashing the expression of our subconscious imagination in any artistic form. Yoshihara's close relationship with Tsuguharu (Leonard) Foujita, who had left for Paris provided him with wide exposure to the international artistic preoccupations of the time and largely contributed to his personal artistic development from a very early stage. Yoshihara expanded the surrealist way of expression through his Gutai Art Manifesto: "When matter remains intact and exposes its characteristics, it starts telling a story and even cries out. To make the fullest use of matter is to make use of spirit. By enhancing spirit, matter is brought to the height of the spirit."
His crucial role in the creation of the Gutai came at the conclusion of fruitful years of self-reflection, study and experience of his country's history, and a desire to build a new version of reality through the mastery of a vital energy. Untitled is an important historical piece as part of his experiments with the Surrealist movement, which were essential to nourishing his reflections on modes of expression resulting in the creation of the Gutai and ultimately his Circle series.