Red Candle 1950

Kaoru Kawano created this print, titled 'Red Candle', which presents a still life composition, typical of the sosaku hanga print movement. Kawano, working in post-war Japan, navigated an art world seeking to define itself amidst rapid modernization, while contending with traditional expectations. In ‘Red Candle’, we see the influence of both traditional Japanese aesthetics and Western abstraction. There is a striking arrangement of shapes and colors. The red candle stands prominently against a muted green background. The flame of the candle is stylized, almost like a starburst. The sosaku hanga movement, of which Kawano was a part, emphasized the artist's complete control over the printmaking process, from design to carving and printing. Consider the labor and intention imbued in each line and color block. It is an intimate reflection of Kawano’s inner world. While seemingly simple, 'Red Candle' invites contemplation on themes of light, memory, and the quiet beauty of everyday objects.