Also on display, a small collection of contemporary and traditional woodblock prints. My experience in this gallery provided the highlight of my day. Following the tradition of the ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world) established by the likes of Utagawa Kunisada who is represented by a print from the series, “A Pictorial Commentary on One Hundred Poems from One Hundred Poets” done in 1842. My favorite was a print from the early 20th century by Elizabeth Keith. Notice that one of the prints on the wall in the shop is the famous Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai. Its complementary color scheme, using mostly blue with orange accents, but it was the patterns of the kimono and the shadow of a leafy tree drew my attention. I could admire just the lower right section of that print for hours. (Sorry, I left my camera in the car and had to use my cell phone to take pictures.)
Looking at Winter Dawn, aquatint, ink and color on paper, 1988, by Sharon Bayer was also wonderful. The atmospheric quality of light and cold, humid air speckled with snow is the real subject of this lovely print.
My eternal favorites from the permanent collection are found in the Japanese rooms. The netsuke collection is nicely displayed on a glass case with lights and rotating pedestals. These precious and tiny works of art, from the Edo period of Japanese history, the time of the samurai, were both aesthetic and a functional. Part of a closing mechanism for bags that served as pockets in men’s’ kimono, the detail, beauty and humor of netsuke make them one of my favorite art forms. You can see what I mean when you view the little Monkey with a Fan carved of ivory. Keep in mind how tiny these objects are, one to two inches is all, when you look at them. The Mountain of Mice is simply amazing.
Looking at Winter Dawn, aquatint, ink and color on paper, 1988, by Sharon Bayer was also wonderful. The atmospheric quality of light and cold, humid air speckled with snow is the real subject of this lovely print.
My eternal favorites from the permanent collection are found in the Japanese rooms. The netsuke collection is nicely displayed on a glass case with lights and rotating pedestals. These precious and tiny works of art, from the Edo period of Japanese history, the time of the samurai, were both aesthetic and a functional. Part of a closing mechanism for bags that served as pockets in men’s’ kimono, the detail, beauty and humor of netsuke make them one of my favorite art forms. You can see what I mean when you view the little Monkey with a Fan carved of ivory. Keep in mind how tiny these objects are, one to two inches is all, when you look at them. The Mountain of Mice is simply amazing.
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