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KATSUSHIKA TAITO II attributed to
(Active 1810 - 1853)
HORSEFLY AND FLOWERS

Ink and colour on paper. 230 x 315 mm.
The drawing is inspired by Hokusai's prints belonging to the untitled series known as Large Flowers.

Taito II was born in Edo to a samurai family from Kyushu. He began his artistic education under the Hokusai, who bestowed his own go Taito onto his young student in 1820. Taito II worked closely with his teacher. His personal production dates from 1830 to 1853. Working independently in Edo from 1830 to 1843, Taito II worked in Osaka between 1843 and 1853. Throughout his career, Taito II’s oeuvre spanned illustrated books, single-sheet prints, and paintings. For a period of time, he began forging Hokusai’s signature, but was found out. Following this incident, Taito II was sometimes called Inu (Dog) Hokusai or Osaka Hokusai.