Utagawa Yoshitsuya II
Utagawa Yoshitsuya II 二代 歌川芳艶 (active 1870s)
BIOGRAPHY
Sources: A Dictionary of Japanese Artists: Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Prints, Lacquer, Laurance P. Roberts, Weatherhill, 1976, p. 204.No information is available on the life of Yoshitsuya II 芳艶(二代)other than his real name was Minowa Eikichi 箕輪兵吉1 and he was a student of Utagawa Yoshitsuya (1822-1866). He used the gō Ichiesai 一英斎, Issensha Kison 一仙舎其村 and Yoshitsuya 芳艶. His signatures often look identical to those of his teacher (see gourd shaped cartouche with signature below.)
The artist did a few interesting prints featuring animals such as the two prints shown below. He also created prints depicting legends and historical events, such as this collection's print of a celebration following the government's victory over rebellious samurai in the Satsuma Rebellion.
Signatures and Seals of the Artist (a sampling)
Comparison between signatures of Yoshitsuya I (first generation) and Yoshitsuya II (second generation), both reading
一英斎芳艶 画 Ichisei Yoshitsuya ga
一英斎芳艶 画
Ichisei Yoshitsuya ga with Yoshi kiri paulownia flower seal
一英斎芳艶 画 Ichisei Yoshitsuya ga (c. 1870)
二代目芳艶
Nidaime (2nd generation) Yoshitsuya ga
c. 1870
Prints in Collection
[BELOW PRINTS GIFTED TO THE JORDAN SCHNITZER MUSEUM OF ART, UNIVERSITY OF OREGON]
click on thumbnail for print details