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Koshiro Onchi was one of Japan’s foremost printmakers in the 20th century and a central figure in the Sosaku Hanga movement. His groundbreaking work in printmaking is perhaps best exemplified by his creation of the first abstract print in Japan in 1915, a pivotal moment in the history of Japanese art. Onchi was an artist who seamlessly navigated between both abstract and representational formats, making his prints stylistically diverse and richly layered. His works are known for their expressive power, evoking deep emotional responses and provoking contemplation. Many of Onchi’s most expressive pieces remain unrivaled for their ability to capture raw, thought-provoking energy.

Though Onchi is primarily celebrated for his printmaking, his first foray into art was through Western-style painting, specifically Yoga. This early training in oil and watercolor painting influenced his later printmaking, giving his work a unique depth and vitality. Remarkably, despite his immense success in printmaking, Onchi continued to produce paintings throughout his career, working in both oil and watercolor as late as the 1930s. His charisma and unwavering belief in the power of creative expression kept the flame of the Sosaku Hanga movement alive during the dark years leading up to and during World War II. Onchi's advocacy for artists to create works for art’s sake, free from external pressures, was instrumental in maintaining the integrity of Japanese printmaking during a time of national turmoil.

A fan of Cézanne, the subject of this early work pays homage to Onchi’s formative influence by this modern master. The still life presents two apples and three persimmons arranged on a white cloth. Bathed in soft light, the composition is awash with colors refracted from the overhead illumination, lending the scene a vibrant, almost ethereal quality. The brushstrokes are short, deliberate, and imbued with passion, foreshadowing the deep vein of creative energy that Onchi would mine throughout his life. Notably, Onchi introduces a distinctly Japanese element—persimmons—into the composition, a subtle nod to his heritage. Interestingly, the persimmons, outnumbered by the apples, may symbolize the Western influence that Onchi masterfully integrated into his own artistic vision, shaping it to suit his purposes.

Connoisseur's Note

Onchi’s oil paintings, particularly those from this early period, are extremely rare and seldom available for sale. This piece is in excellent condition, with fresh, vivid colors that have remained vibrant over time. The work comes with a certificate of authentication by the artist son, Kunio Onchi.