Julien Leclercq (1865-1901), the original collector of this collection of Japanese prints (Lots 31, 39, 40, 41 of the present sale), was an art critic and passionate advocate of modern French painting. An early champion of Vincent van Gogh, Leclercq first met the artist Paul Gauguin at the home of his neighbours in Paris on rue Vércingetorix - the composer William Molard and the Swedish sculptor Ida Ericson, his wife. The couple's home was a gathering place for artists, musicians and writers and Ericson's and Molard's acquaintances included many eminent contemporaries such as Grieg, Munch, Strindberg, Bonnard and Vuillard. Leclercq, who would later marry the Finnish pianist Fanny Flodin, was a regular visitor.

Following Gauguin's return to Tahiti in 1895, Leclercq moved into his studio, where he was later joined by Flodin after their marriage in 1898. They remained living there until Leclercq’s untimely death in October 1901. It is unclear exactly when and how Leclercq acquired these Japanese prints, however it is most likely due to his friendship with the art dealer, critic and patron, Siegfried Bing. In 1897 Leclercq arranged a selling exhibition of Japanese prints that travelled through Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki. After Leclercq's death, and prior to her return to Helsinki, Flodin sold the majority of the art collection, including works by Van Gogh and Gauguin, but kept the woodblocks and took them with her to Finland. They have remained in the family ever since.

The black and white photograph in the lot images is a portrait of Julien Leclercq with his wife Fanny Flodin and their daughter, Saskia, circa 1897/98. Please note the photograph is for reference only and is not included with the lot.