Posted 11 years ago
Tlynnie1942
(134 items)
I am trying to decipher the artist's name on this woodblock print. This was given to me by a very dear friend. He passed away after a courageous fight with Cancer, and I was honored to be at his side holding his hand when he left this world. He had been in pain for a long time, but the Cancer was in a part of the Pancreas that was hidden. A month after he was finally diagnosed, he passed.
The original owner of this print was late actor Tony Curtis, he and my friend Jim met in Hollywood in the early 1980s. Jim was a caterer and the two of them hit it off when the met for the first time, Tony called Jim his "Jewish Uncle". I did not ask Jim who the artist was that did this woodblock, he was diagnosed with the Cancer and a month later he was gone and I was not going to ask him about things like that. My mother and I took care of him, with the help of Home Hospice. It was hard to see someone die, but as he got closer to it he went into a sort of coma. I was sitting next to him when he left his body, it was serene and I was happy that he was free of the pain, finally.
So now, years later I am finally ready to know who did this woodblock.
The signature on this print is in pencil, and I have given up trying to get who the artist is. I made two photos of it with one in Black and White, I think it makes it easier to see. If anyone has a clue on this, I would be very happy to know what you think.
The mount looks Japanese. Very nice!
Yes, I think so too Vetraio50. I wish I would have asked my friend who the artist was, it is too late now as he passed away very recently. He was a great person who told me stories of his life in Hollywood, which is where he acquired this and many other works of art.