Hundertwasser,F. Lot n° 1208

Nana Hyaka Mizu. Nana Hyaka Mizu. Glarus/Switzerland, Gruener Janura 1966-1973. 68 x 54 cm. Sequence of 7 signed, numbered and inscribed color woodcuts by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, inscribed with the work numbers and with the copyright sign and each with at least 4 Japanese Inkan stamps and the stamped title in Japanese. 2 fol. printed on linen with text. Loose prints under cloth mount in black original wooden case with cover illustration. Koschatzky, 22, 32, 33, 37, 38, 55 and 59 - Very rare complete portfolio - With the more often missing wooden case - One of 200 numbered copies. - Based on Viennese Art Nouveau, Klee and Oriental miniatures, Hundertwasser developed an abstract-decorative, two-dimensional and colorful painting style with the characteristic ornamental spiral and labyrinth shapes, circles, meanders and biomorphic forms. - The Nana Hyaka Mizu portfolio is fascinating not only for this characteristic repertoire of motifs, but also in its conceptual planning, as the woodblock prints were created over the course of 7 years. The title of the sequence can be translated as 'Seven Hundred Waters', which not only refers to Hundertwasser himself, but also expresses his inexhaustible diversity of creative power. According to Franz Winzinger, this portfolio belongs to a high point in Hundertwasser's work: 'The procedure was extremely laborious. It took seven years of intense work in countless processes, out of which these woodcuts gradually matured. This unparalleled effort in itself makes the prints precious and imparts to them their exceptional position. Although the Japanese block-cutters and printers - the last surviving masters of this craft - followed Hundertwasser's supervision, their contribution adds to his work an exotic flavor which considerably heightens the charm of these prints' (Koschatzky, p. 140). - Cut and printed by Nakamura Hanga Kobo, Tokyo (6) and Uchida Kogei Kobo, Kyoto, respectively. PROVENANCE: Privately owned in northern Germany since the early 1980s. - Rare complete set of 7 Japanese woodcuts in colors. Each signed 'Hundertwasser Regentag', dated, numbered, with work number and copyright sign as well as with a minimum of 4 Japanese incan stamps each and title stamped in Japanese. Each from an edition of 200 copies. On different types of paper. Up to 39.5 : 49.5 cm. Paper size 42.8 : 55.7 cm. Cut and printed by Nakamura Hanga Kobo, Tokyo (6) and by Uchida Kogei Kobo, Kyoto. Loose graphics under a linen passe-partout in a black orig. wooden box with an illustration on the cover. 68 : 54 cm. - Very rare in the outermost edge with small spot of glue traces. The black mounting corners of the passe-partouts mostly loosened, the passepartouts partially faded. The graphics are in good condition. R