New Mexico II (ニューメキシコ II)
Print; likely a lithograph or serigraph on heavy wove paper • Sunao Hironaka (Japanese, 20th Century)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Japanese Printmaking / Abstract Landscape
Medium & Technique
Multi-colored ink on paper with color-blending (gradation) and gestural mark-making in the sky
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (c. 1980-1995)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 30 x 22 inches (76 x 56 cm); Portrait format
Subject Description
An evocative landscape depicting a New Mexico sunset or sunrise. The composition features a deep blue sky transitioning into vibrant orange, with abstracted mesa formations in the lower third and white gestural streaks suggesting contrails or shooting stars.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; visible curling from storage and minor edge wear on the untrimmed paper
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $800 USD
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600 USD
Provenance History
Acquired likely from a Japanese or Western gallery specializing in contemporary prints; bears artist signature and Japanese title in pencil
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the late 20th-century Japanese fascination with the American Southwest, blending traditional Japanese sensitivity to color gradients with Western landscape subjects.
Notable Features
Includes a handwritten title in Katakana (ニューメキシコ II) and a distinct graphite signature by Sunao Hironaka; utilizes a sophisticated 'bokashi' style color transition.
Condition Issues
Paper curling, minor surface scuffs in the dark blue ink field, and potential handling creases near the edges
Conservation Recommendations
Professional flattening, archival mounting with acid-free materials, and framing under UV-protective glass to prevent fading of the orange pigments