Friday, June 17, 2011

Masterpieces Show


Our newest show at Bowers Museum, titled Japanese Masterpieces From The Price Collection, opens this Saturday, June 18th.  You have until July 17th to see these gorgeous paintings, so don't miss it!


Beauty with Puppy
Yamaguchi Soken (1759-1818)
Edo period, 18th-19th century
Hanging scroll, ink and colors on silk

This painting depicts a beautiful young woman fanning herself on the way out to enjoy the cool breeze of a Japanese summer night. Notice the wild geese and grass on her delicate fan.  The lightness of her summer kimono and her red undergarments add a seductive mood to the painting, and the little puppy pulling at her sleeve adds a playful touch as well.




Thursday, April 14, 2011

Sneak Peek #4


All proceeds from these skateboards will go to the GlobalGiving Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Sneak Peek #3


All proceeds from these skateboards will go to the GlobalGiving Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Sneak Peek #2


All proceeds from these skateboards will go to the GlobalGiving Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund


Monday, April 11, 2011

Sneak Peek #1



All proceeds from these skateboards will go to the GlobalGiving Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Skateboards for Japan

It is so hard to put into the words the heartbreak we are feeling.  The devastation in Japan is absolutely horrifying and gut wrenching.  There are many ways we can help.  Please text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan.  Or visit redcross.org to make a donation.  We are also hoping to make skateboards to sell to raise money to help the efforts in Japan.  Please visit The Price Collection facebook page to vote on which painting you would like to see on a skate.  


Cranes
Itō Jakuchū (1716-1800)

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Study of Skill

The extraordinary and astounding skill of artists of the Edo period makes that era particularly appealing.  Their skill goes far beyond the capabilities of ordinary painters.  Japanese artists were born into their field, and serious students began learning to paint as soon as they were old enough to hold a brush, and they would practice for thirty to forty years before approaching the perfection of their masters.  With such discipline, the artists developed their techniques and control over their medium to visual perfection.  Only when he was truly competent in his master’s eyes was he allowed to paint and embark on his creative journey.

In most paintings of the period, no two brush stokes should ever overlap.  The ink was so thin that the crossing of any strokes would leave a darker mark (See Quail.)  Using thicker, heavier paint was not possible, since the scrolls were rolled up for storage.  Not only was the artist limited by such fundamental necessities, but he also needed the know-how to flawlessly place ink on his brush, since without any guides or outlines, he had to control his stroke, both in direction and pressure, to vary the width of the line.  This had to be done with total control and certainty, since no stroke could be changed, no mistake covered up, and no error eradicated. 

Compare the two paintings below.  Jakuchu's painting is flawless, while Doitsu carelessly painted a reed of grass over the quail.

Jakuchu Rooster, Hen, and Hydrangeas

Doitsu Quail

Unfortunately, after Japan was forced to open its borders in 1868, they entered a new period of Western advancement. They abandoned many of their customs in order to catch up to the rest of the technologically advanced world.  Consequently, artists adopted Western techniques and materials, abandoning their own beautiful traditions and leaving behind the beautiful, incomparable art of the Edo period.