L'Homme Au Sabre. Aino, Hokkaido 1955

Paul Jacoulet made 'L'Homme Au Sabre' in Aino, Hokkaido, using woodblock printmaking techniques. The color palette is so gentle and nuanced, and the graphic style has a striking boldness which really grabs my attention. There’s a real material presence here, with the flatness of the print emphasizing the texture of the paper. The various shades of blue, lavender and brown are balanced so that the whole image really sings. The way that the patterns are placed on the man's kimono create movement in the image. The swirls remind me of waves and clouds. I am reminded of Hiroshige, the master of Ukiyo-e prints. Like Hiroshige, Jacoulet presents us with a world that is both beautiful and serene, yet also deeply connected to the rhythms of nature. I love how art can transport us to different times and places, and how it allows us to see the world through the eyes of another.