Artwork Description

Title: Sea Dragon Set (2 pieces)
Artist: Fujita Jiji
Date: n.d.
Medium: Print on paper
Dimensions: 20.7 × 31.7 in (52.6 × 80.6 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
This diptych by Fujita Jiji features two figurative compositions rendered in elegant, gestural linework. The left piece focuses on three figures in traditional Japanese attire, with selective use of ink washes that highlight garment details, while the right piece presents a layered, translucent composition of similar figures, emphasizing motion and overlapping forms. The two images create a compelling dialogue between precision and abstraction.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Fujita Jiji’s style reflects a fusion of traditional Japanese woodblock aesthetics with mid-20th-century modernist draftsmanship. His deft handling of contour and form pays homage to ukiyo-e masters while embracing a looser, more experimental sketch-like sensibility. The right-hand composition, with its ghostly overlays and translucent support, evokes themes of memory, temporality, and transformation—recurring concerns in postwar Japanese art.

3. Historical Context
Although undated, the work likely aligns with the broader movement in Japanese art following World War II, wherein artists reimagined classical forms through a contemporary lens. Fujita’s works reflect both a reverence for cultural heritage and a curiosity toward modern graphic exploration. The clothing and character types hint at traditional festival scenes, possibly connected to folklore or regional cultural heritage, like the eponymous "Sea Dragon."

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
Both prints exhibit moderate yellowing of the paper, consistent with age. The piece on the right has slipped from its original passepartout mounting. No tears or losses are evident, and the works remain visually strong. Framing is stable, with protective glazing and giltwood outer edges showing minimal wear.

6. Artistic Significance
Sea Dragon Set captures Fujita Jiji’s lyrical sensitivity to form and tradition. By juxtaposing solid, confident ink work with more ephemeral, ghostly overlays, the artist invites the viewer to contemplate the fleeting nature of cultural memory. This pairing offers a poetic reflection on identity, movement, and the persistent echo of Japan’s artistic lineage in modern times.