Toshio Saeki

Here today we have another great example of the way Midjourney treats some artists, so that the style doesn’t appear to be fake or generic. However, if it’s compared to the original art of the artist whose name we used in the benchmark, one can easily see that this is a what we call ‘fake-positive’. That’s the reason we check all the styles in Midlibrary with the original styles. Toshio Saeki (1945-2019) was a Japanese artist renowned for his unique and provocative style of illustration, often described as «ero-guro» (erotic grotesque). Saeki’s work combines elements of traditional Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints with surreal, often disturbing themes drawn from his vivid imagination. His art is characterized by its intricate detail, bold use of color, and fusion of eroticism, horror, and fantasy, creating a shockingly original visual universe that explores the darker aspects of human desire and psyche. Did you know? Toshio Saeki’s illustrations often depict scenes of a fantastical and macabre nature, challenging conventional norms and societal taboos. His groundbreaking approach to art has earned him a cult following both in Japan and internationally. The style in MIdjourney, though representing woodblock prints and generally Japanese style of art, totally misses the subject matter and the grotesque and contradictory nature of Toshio Saeki’s original work. It’s safe and not disturbing. We are not using the Midlibrary score here, as the style is consistent and doesn’t miss any of the prompts in our benchmark, at the same time missing completely the original artist’s work esthetics.