Kiyoshi Hasegawa (French/Japanese, 1891–1980) was widely known in the field of printmaking, advancing the techniques of etching and mezzotint. Born into a wealthy banker family, Hasegawa studied the writings of Confucius, as well as traditional Japanese painting from an early age. He later went on to enroll in art school, and studied engraving under artist Bernard Leach. In 1913, Hasegawa began working for Mask, contributing woodcuts for the cover and inside illustrations.

In 1919, Hasegawa traveled to France to study printmaking, and remained in the South of France for three years to devote himself to intense study. He returned to Paris in 1923, and, the following year, staged his first well-received solo show. In 1925, Hasegawa was accepted as a member of Salon d’Automne. During World War II, the artist hid in a friend’s house outside Paris, but was briefly imprisoned in 1945. His prime years before and after the war were a time of artistic development in Paris, with revolutionary ideas challenging established artistic principles. Hasegawa played an important role in the artistic community during this time.

After the war, Hasegawa revitalized and improved upon the techniques of mezzotint, leaving behind the greatest works in this field. His techniques are still in use today. Among his many awards and honors, he received a Gold Medal at the International Exposition in Paris (1937), the Legion d’honneur, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, Member Correspondent of the French Academy of Fine Arts (1964), and Order of the Sacred Treasure, Third Class, Japan (1967).

The artist died in Paris at the age of 89.