Tadashige Nakayama Appraisal

Tadashige Nakayama, Horse and Tulip Woodblock Print

This is an original polychrome woodblock print by the renowned Sosaku-hanga (creative print) artist Tadashige Nakayama (1927–2014). The artwork features a stylized, abstract horse rendered in Nakayama's signature ornate manner, characterized by flame-like, undulating lines and organic shapes reminiscent of the Art Nouveau movement combined with traditional Japanese aesthetics. The horse is depicted in profile with decorative swirls of gold, mustard yellow, earthy orange, and white, set against a dark, textured background showing a fine wood grain pattern. Centered at the base of the composition is a vibrant red tulip with white stippled highlights, providing a sharp color contrast. The print is hand-signed in pencil by the artist in the lower left margin and numbered 22/80 in the lower right, indicating a limited edition strike. The piece is housed in a contemporary wooden frame with a neutral-toned mat board. The condition appears fair to good; there is visible rippling or 'cockling' of the paper within the frame, suggesting moisture exposure or tension in the mounting. There are also distinct brownish age spots (foxing) visible particularly along the upper and left white margins, which are common for prints of this mid-to-late 20th-century period. Despite several minor condition issues, the colors remain saturated and the intricate layering technique characteristic of Nakayama’s high-quality craftsmanship is well-preserved.