Yozo Hamaguchi (1909-2000) is one of the leading copper-plate engravers in the 20th century. After the World War II, he was engaged in copper-plate engraving in earnest, and searched for mezzotint techniques through self-study. The mezzotint technique is called Manière Noir in French, meaning “black manner”, and he is the one and only artist who had brought rich colors into this technique.

“Fourteen Cherries” (1966) is impressive with bright red color emerging on a dark background. The colors that Yozo Hamaguchi produced freely transform sometimes into cherries, or other times into watermelons or pomegranates, or further to ladybugs, butterflies, woolen yarn, or the sun, and show brightness. Red is the color that is passionate and one can feel energy and life out of it. As if butterflies are lured by nectar of flowers, we are instinctively fascinated with the color red.

In contrast to bright red, black is covering most of the background. When our eyes get familiar with the works, we notice that the background is not in simple black, but it has light and darkness and includes colors like red, blue, and green, etc. The black highlights red, and at the same time, it is supported by red and other colors. Colors mutually affect by the power like attraction, and kindle each other.

At this exhibition, approximately 60 works are displayed, including “Fourteen Cherries” and “Watermelon” which are impressive with black and red, and other works that you can enjoy the charms of colors. Please take your time and be satisfied with your eyes with the colors that are intricately overlapping each other and have various nuances. Further you look at them, you will find different impressions.