Japan in the throes of modernity, depicted through an ancient medium
In the early 20th century, Japan flourished under modernity’s ascent: employment opportunities increased, conditions for women improved and optimism abounded. At the same time, many found themselves displaced and disoriented, longing for the former days of established order. Japan Modern documents the turbulence of this period as expressed through printmaking. Japanese artists gravitated toward the medium, drawn to its timelessness. Accordingly, many blended traditional and modern elements, implementing ancient woodcarving techniques to render street scenes with high-rise buildings, cars, railroads, factories and Japanese women with chin-length bobs dancing and drinking cocktails. Many, however, portrayed more traditional subjects such as idealized portraits of women and romantic landscapes. The prints featured in the volume are sourced from the Elise Wessels collection in the Netherlands, which is considered the most comprehensive archive of early 20th-century Japanese prints outside of Japan. This brand-new edition features a new cover treatment and a new foreword by Marije Jansen, the curator of Japanese prints at the Rijksmuseum.
STATUS: Out of stock
Temporarily out of stock pending additional inventory.
FORMAT: Hbk, 8.5 x 11 in. / 264 pgs / 194 color. LIST PRICE: U.S. $50.00 LIST PRICE: CANADA $70 ISBN: 9789462087286 PUBLISHER: nai010 publishers AVAILABLE: 2/28/2023 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Active AVAILABILITY: Out of stock TERRITORY: NA LA ME
Japan Modern Japanese Prints from the Elise Wessels Collection
Published by nai010 publishers. Text by Marije Jansen.
Japan in the throes of modernity, depicted through an ancient medium
In the early 20th century, Japan flourished under modernity’s ascent: employment opportunities increased, conditions for women improved and optimism abounded. At the same time, many found themselves displaced and disoriented, longing for the former days of established order. Japan Modern documents the turbulence of this period as expressed through printmaking. Japanese artists gravitated toward the medium, drawn to its timelessness. Accordingly, many blended traditional and modern elements, implementing ancient woodcarving techniques to render street scenes with high-rise buildings, cars, railroads, factories and Japanese women with chin-length bobs dancing and drinking cocktails. Many, however, portrayed more traditional subjects such as idealized portraits of women and romantic landscapes.
The prints featured in the volume are sourced from the Elise Wessels collection in the Netherlands, which is considered the most comprehensive archive of early 20th-century Japanese prints outside of Japan. This brand-new edition features a new cover treatment and a new foreword by Marije Jansen, the curator of Japanese prints at the Rijksmuseum.
