Sadao Watanabe was a Japanese printmaker born in Tokyo, Japan in the year 1913. Sadao Watanabe was renown for his prints dealing with religious subjects. I can’t help but think his illustrations gave hope and an idea of how a certain story might be pictured. Even when Christ appears on the cross in his art, the work has a vibrant and strong message, not dark and gloomy. His art is very emotional work as far as the printmaking artists are concerned.
Sadao Watanabe is associated with the sosuka- hanga movement.
Sadao Watanabe passed away in 1996.
In this clip we view a book showing many religious prints by Sadao Watanabe. How great these illustrations were for children for adults that were unable to read:
When he was ten the artist’s father died. He quit school and became an apprentice in a fabric dyer’s shop. A woman from his neighborhood invited the artist to attend her church. Sadao Watanabe joined the church and found his genre at the same time.
After seeing an exhibition by Serizawa Keisuke’s artwork at a museum, Sadao Watanabe took some classes from this master artist and the two became close friends. Keisuke was renowned folk artist and these artisans used natural materials in their dyes giving them a vibrant and lively color. Watanabe also used this method of production.
A most interesting thought by Sadao Watanabe will bring this article to a close. He preferred that his artwork hang in places where people gather, because Jesus brought the gospel for the people.
Price range information: Most works priced between $500 and $3,000.
What an amazing artist and story!
D
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