Before the Mirror 1916

Ito Shinsui made 'Before the Mirror' as a woodblock print, with an amazing use of color. It has that quiet intensity, the kind you see when someone's really focused. There's this incredible layering of colors – that red, oh man, it's bold but also soft, you know? It’s not just flat; there's texture in there, especially in the patterning on her shawl. You can almost feel the fabric, heavy and rich. Then there's the pale skin, contrasted with the dark, sculptural hair. Look at the lines that define her profile – so precise, yet they feel effortless. It’s like Shinsui knew exactly where to place each mark to capture her mood. The grey background is almost metallic, but the whole print has this dream-like quality, maybe because of the way the colors blend. It reminds me a little of Hiroshi Yoshida, another printmaker who was a master of light and atmosphere. I love art that doesn't shout at you, but invites you in to contemplate.