West of Topaz

Artist Hisako Hibi (Japanese American, 1907 - 1991)

Date1942-1945

Mediumpaper, watercolor

Dimensions4 5/8 x 5 7/8 in. (11.7 x 14.9 cm)

ClassificationsFine Arts

Credit LineJapanese American National Museum

Object number2015.100.45

DescriptionSmall horizontal watercolor painting of 2 girls walking between 2 rows of barracks with tall mountain in background. The girls are wearing blue and orange dresses. Barracks are outlined in black and painted gray with yellow door openings. The tall mountain in the background is pale lavender-blue and reminiscent of Heart Mountain. The foreground is pale lavender, blue and light brown. The sky is pale blue and yellow. Across top edge is stamped in black "WEST OF TOPAZ". Signed in pencil in LR corner "Hisako Hibi." The painting is mounted on lower half of matching manila paper (8 7/8 x 5 15/16") like a greeting card. This is then mounted on brown paper with a fold across the center.