Nude On A Rock - Takashi Mine 1913-2003 Japan - Bronze 1953 #850

A young woman leaning on a rock appears meditative. Bronze with a light brown, golden patina. Signed T. Mine and dated 1951 or 1953. Very good condition – minimal wear. The artist: Takashi Mine, known as Minetaka, 1913-2003 – Born in Kyoto – His family supplied tunics for temples, so he was often surrounded by works of art. His father and uncle were painters. He wanted to become a painter, but due to color blindness, he turned to sculpture. Graduating in 1931, he moved to Tokyo. In 1933, he met Takashi Shimizu (a student of Bourdelle), who became his teacher. He exhibited regularly from 1936 onwards. From 1937, he lived in the Atelier Village, a "little Montparnasse" near Nagasaki (Toshima), which was razed in 1945. There were about sixty studio-houses. He named his studio the Parthenon – this neighborhood emerged in 1935 on former wasteland. The nickname Montparnasse is linked to a poet who published "Ikebukuro Montparnasse" in a local newspaper; because at that time, French art was the European artistic benchmark. In 1944, he participated in exhibitions supporting the war effort through art. He mainly created works on mythological themes and was known for his realistic bronze sculptures with surfaces animated by vibrations. After the war, he produced many works, including monuments and portraits. He traveled to Europe in 1966, visiting Greece, Italy, and France. In Italy, he learned to carve marble. In Paris he absorbed the art of Bourdelle. His studio was rebuilt after the war, and is now a museum/exhibition hall. An illustrated biography will be given to the buyer.