Tomoe Yokoi (1943). "doll And Balloon". Mezzotint. 1960s.

All photographs were taken with the glass.
Wooden frame with gold and blue patina (wear from use), black and gold mat. Frame dimensions: 64 x 54 cm.
Dimensions of the sheet when viewed: 45 x 33 cm.
Signed, numbered 58 /75 and titled "Doll and balloon". A small defect in the paper (see last photo).
Mezzotint (also written mezzotinto), or mezzotint, is an intaglio engraving process. The copper plate is frosted using a cradle, the slightly rough surface retains the ink, the print is then entirely black.
Tomoe Yokoi was born in Nagoya, Japan in 1943. She began her art studies at Bunk Tokyo College of Art, where the program focused on traditional techniques. The subjects covered were realistic images of everyday life such as fruits, musical instruments and flowers. In 1964, after graduating, Yokoi moved to Paris and studied intaglio printmaking with S.W. Hayter, Atelier. In Paris, Yokoi perfected her mezzotint technique, expanding its parameters to include more complex imagery and subtle color gradations. In 1971, Yokoi moved to New York City where she worked and presented her art to the New York public. She developed a unique style that combined and synthesized her Japanese, Parisian, and New York experiences.