Fumiko Takeda - The Beauty is in the Details
Mesh artist Fumiko Takeda has been creating copper engravings for over 25 years. Her masterful skill is apparent, even at first glance.
The delicate depictions of nature always have a touch of whimsy without being saccharine, which is a delicate balance with her subject matter. All of Takeda’s prints are less than 20 inches in either dimension. This intimate size invites the viewer to move in closely and have a private experience with the artwork. Viewers of her work are truly rewarded when they take the time to look at the details of her composition and craftsmanship. We chose a couple of Takeda’s works to do just this so we hope you will enjoy!
Of all the prints we have by Fumiko Takeda, Wandering Stars is by far the most surreal. However, this does not mean that the artist has skimped on realistic details, even in an unrealistic landscape.
Below the floating island with Escher-esque staircases, you can see a minuscule propeller moving the land mass across the sky, explaining why the cords hanging off of the hot air balloon are trailing to the right of the composition.
Also, the realistic shading of the balloon’s “net” is meticulous. Each braided rope is perfectly shaded so that you know exactly where the light source is located. However, the surreal air balloon filled with bubbles seems to be consuming the net, dissolving it into its depths. You can even see through the balloon and catch glimpses of the ropes on the other side!
See available works by Fumiko Takeda HERE.
The Poetry of Leaf is a still life composition that showcases Fumiko Takeda’s range of stylistic skill. Just in the detail image below, the viewer can clearly see a wide range of textures and lines that create depth and realistic perspective. And then, as in many of her works, the viewer suddenly sees the crescent moon and stars in the small shadow of the maple leaf. An ethereal detail that brings an added dimension to an already exquisite still life.
Much like the Northern Renaissance or Dutch Golden Age painters, Takeda took great care to provide realistic details and perspective in the glass bell jar of The Greenhouse Library.
The light reflections in the glass’ surface are astounding and the small cracks and chips at the bottom of the jar provide a decaying dark edge to this whimsical composition. With more surreal touches than in some of Takeda’s other still life works, there are still easily overlooked details that delight the careful viewer. Most viewers will notice the steps going down into the open book cover of the top book, but it is the studious observer who is rewarded by seeing the staircase continue in the shadow of the bottom book.
In the digital age, we are now expected to consume images and pictures quickly and move on, quickly gleaning the information we need and discarding the rest. But thoughtful visual art has been created for generations and generations, and the viewer who takes the time to absorb the artist’s thoughtful brushstrokes and seemingly inconsequential minutiae will reap the rewards through greater appreciation and understanding. This is the sort of attention to detail that artist Fumiko Takeda instills into every print, and we are beyond grateful to stand and gaze at her engaging artwork.
See works of art by Fumiko Takeda for sale by clicking HERE.