Woodblock print, ink, and colour on paper of Jami Masjid, Delhi, 1931
Yoshida Hiroshi (Japanese artist, 1876–1950 of the Showa era)
Yoshida spent the New Year of 1931 in Delhi, where he continued to make sketches for his future prints. After returning to Japan, he chose as his subject the outer gateway to the Jami (Jama) Masjid, a mosque built in the mid-seventeenth century and one of the most impressive examples of the architectural projects undertaken by Shah Jahan (reigned 1628–58), the same ruler who built the Taj Mahal as the tomb for his wife. White marble domes embellish the red sandstone gate that is approached via long stairways. Yoshida’s interest in human activity is expressed here in his selection of a viewpoint that encompasses the market stalls in the foreground and includes many visitors resting on the brightly sunlit stairs.
This original rare print is from our collection and has the original signature of Yoshida Hiroshi at the bottom.
