UTAGAWA KUNIYOSHI (JAPAN, 1797-1861). "At the Ataka Barrier in Kaga Province, Benkei Saves His Master", 加賀国安宅関弁慶主従危難救, (Kaga no kuni Ataka no seki ni Benkei shûjû no kinan wo suku zu).

Woodblock print in colours (triptych), 38 x 76,5 cm overall. Published by Tsujiokaya Bunsuke, 1856. Depicting Benkei beating Yoshitsune, disguised as yamabushi (warrior monks), to avert suspicion at the Ataka Barrier in Kaga Province. PROVENANCE The collection of Dr Eugen Milch (1889-1958), Austrian physician and artist. During the First World War he practiced as a medical officer. Milch was a true globetrotter - in the early 1920s, he travelled across Europe on a combined study and painting tour. In 1924, he married Emma Bormann, and the couple visited Sweden that same year. Together with the artist Oskar Bergman, they exhibited a number of paintings at Liljevalchs in Stockholm. In 1937, Eugen left for China with other Austrian physicians at the invitation of the Chinese government, and was joined by his wife two years later. The initial posting didn’t materialize, but in 1938 he became superintendent of a hospital in Beihai, China. In 1941, when Japanese forces occupied part of the South China coast, including Beihai, the Milch family managed to move to Shanghai. While in China, Eugen and Emma decided to separate. Eugen went on to assist British forces in China, for which he was awarded British citizenship. Continuing his travels, he went to Japan to study the aftermath of the war, and this is where he probably acquired the present collection of Japanese woodblock prints. He died in Hong Kong in 1958. Thence by descent within the family. LITTERATUR Robinson T327.