The Kimono - Pencil Drawing, Circa 1930 - Kuroda Yoritsuna, 1909–1998

Born in Yoyogi in 1909 in Tokyo Prefecture, Noritsuna Kuroda was drawn to art under the influence of his uncle Seiki Kuroda, one of the pioneers of Western-style painting (yo-ga) in Japan. Taking refuge at home during the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, he discovered painting and drawing.
In 1927, he began his studies at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts in the Western Painting Department, even though the rest of his family wanted him to become a civil servant. In 1932, he graduated from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and was able to exhibit his work in official art shows. He began winning awards in 1933. Between 1940 and 1944, he served in Southeast Asia (the Philippines, Java, etc.) as a member of the Navy’s press corps.
Upon his return, he founded the Shinju-kai association in 1947.
In 1949, he became a judge for the Kofukai Association’s exhibition and participated exclusively in it from 1960 until his death, while also organizing his own exhibitions. Official art shows no longer seemed to interest him during the final decades of his career.
Yellowed paper—signs of handling, moisture—studio stamp. Provenance: Osaka auction.
An illustrated biography and a certificate will be provided to the buyer.
This drawing dates from the artist’s early period, when he was heavily influenced by the School of Paris.