Ukiyo-e Prints

浮世絵版画

ANONYMOUS MEIJI

$34.00

SOLD!

THANKS C!

Year's ago as I had the great good fortune of making the acquaintance of a man who many considered to be the world's greatest expert in the field of Chinese art. He took me under wing and directed my studies. His passion was not only instructive, but was infectious as well. During that time I developed a love of Chinese painting and that is when he turned me on to the Seals of Chinese Painters and Collectors by Contag and Wang. This volume is indispensable for scholars. As far as I know it remains the ultimate source for the study of seals. While it is mainly useful as a guide for authentication it does serve another purpose --- the aesthetics of seal carving. The variations are enormous and show a multitude of subtleties.

Therefore, it should be no surprise that when I had an opportunity to acquire this unidentified and minor Japanese print I jumped at it. I was weaned on this stuff. It will not appeal to everyone. In fact, it will probably only appeal to a very small audience. But that does not concern me. What does concern me is that there is someone out there who will see this print somewhat the way I do. And, perhaps, someone who views this page will develop an interest in the field and will look with a more discerning eye at the Chinese paintings which are shown in some of our greatest museums.

The Japanese veneration for Chinese art makes this small, but strong print completely understandable. What is most impressive to me is the accurate sense of carving in stone conveyed through the vehicle of a woodcut.