'Portrait of Sphinx: A Suite of Six Original Etchings'

New York: Associated American Artists, 1970. Limited edition. Hardcover. Fine. Stunning set of 6 color etchings, of which this is number 4 of an edition of 60, each signed by the artist. Four of the prints are framed; 2 are unframed, and housed in the original linen covered portfolio. The two unframed are titled, 'Sphinx Covered by Sheet' and 'Sphinx in May'; all original paper sleeves with original tissue guards present.

These striking erotic prints are of strange and beautiful creatures, part woman, part Sphinx, part angel by the renowned engraver, painter, illustrator, sculptor, ceramist and film director whose originality defied traditional Japanese categorization.

The four framed prints are titled: 'Sphinx with the September'; 'Sphinx of the Woods', 'Sphinx With Little Longer Finger', and 'Seated Sphinx'.

Ikeda (1934 - 1997) graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts in 1952 and began to travel, establishing a reputation in the western art world. He won numerous art awards including the first prize at the Biennales in Venice and Vienna, and becoming the first Japanese artist to have a solo show at MOMA in 1965.

The plates measure 11 7/8 X 10 3/8", printed on sheets: 19 3/8 × 14 3/8".

The Ikeda Sphinx prints are held in the collections of Harvard, the Met , MOMA, and the Smithsonian. Unless otherwise stated, we will remove the framed prints from their frames and send them in the portfolio (we don't ship with glass; if framed is preferred the prints can be picked up).