It has been reported in total EUR 6 million

Since the brothers Goncourt, the France is the cradle, out of Japan, collections of Japanese prints. There is therefore still in the hexagon of the important funds held by individuals. Precisely, this Friday at the hotel Drouot, Piasa gives 256 lots of prints composed of three collections, including rare copies of the 18th century. For those who are interested in good investment, this is an area which remains, for many years, affordable, the Japan is showing little active at this time of crisis.

In fact, in France, the field is a little fallen into disuse. After the death of Huguette Bérès, merchant of modern paintings and large specialist in the subject, Sotheby's sold her collection in Paris in 2002 and 2003. It has been reported in total EUR 6 million. The only specialized merchant which is still in the capital is Tamyo Tanayaka, with the small gallery located rue Saint-Sulpice. "Here, there is more collectors, note." Since 2002, an estimated that prices declined by about 10. But, overall, this is a stable area. Our international client is now also composed of amateurs who are between thirty and forty years and which has a maximum budget of 8,000 euros. They are particularly sensitive to the production of the 20th century. "But since September, he also observed the return of fans, often financial, with larger budgets. The classic period in Japanese prints is the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. These papers, particularly sensitive to light, are not exposed on the walls of the insiders, but kept in shadow. In Tanakaya, should also ask to see. They are for sale from 3,000 euros.

Mythical Mount Fuji

In Japanese, the prints are called "ukiyo-e", meaning "floating world". It is the contemporary world of artists. In the 18th century, the great masters of the "ukiyo-e" attach to represent the world of entertainment. One of the more graceful copies of Piasa sale is signed Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806), known for her portraits of courtesans. It represents "The three Belles of time", in kimono decorated with sophisticated patterns. The estimate of 10,000 euros should be, according to the expert from the sale, Alice Buhlmann, widely exceeded. In Tanakaya, found woodcuts of Utamaro from 10,000 euros.

The Piasa catalog contains also thirteen prints from Toshusai Sharaku, specialist of portraits of actors in the kabuki Theatre, active only during ten months between 1794 and 1795. Are well known little about his life. Fans appreciate his expressiveness. The most expensive sale is of his hand. It represents a trimmed actor of a yellow kimono with stripes. It is estimated 50,000 euros, but additional copies are for sale around 25,000 euros. According to some professionals, the rating of this artist is listed in decline in recent years.

But the most popular artist in this field is Katsuhika Hokusaï, author of the famous "thirty-six views of Mount Fuji. Standard sale Piasa, copies available in lots, between 2,500 and 3,000 euros, are late, made prints after the death of the artist. In Tanakaya, there original prints of these mythical landscapes from 10,000 euros.

Erotic scenes at small prices

Finally, gentlemen, the legend of erotic Japanese prints is not one. The same artists representing scenes from daily life and landscapes carved Kinky scenes illegally, who curiously today a public more restricted. This is perhaps in these topics need to invest... In the Piasa catalog, the "merchant of noodle surprise a couple seized from a truck in the night", in the 18th century by Suzuki Harunobu, a beautiful and explicit test brightly on a black background, is estimated 1,500 euros barely.

Remains to emphasize that the Japanese print is a very technical field or the intensity of the colors, the date of the plate, manufacturing defects, and the State of conservation will significantly affect the value of a work. Should rely on reproductions, and always have on hand prints before you buy.