Japanese - Woodblock for an Illustration in Bijutsu Kogei Hiinakata, 1898-1899

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This stylized design is carved out of a rectangular wood block for a print illustration. The woodblock features raised, ink-stained design elements in various shapes and sizes. The topmost shapes are a mix of straight and and curved lines. They sit over a circle shape, akin to a mirror, on the left and a rectangle to the right. Below are two more shapes with straight and curved lines, akin to stairs. On the reverse, two design areas rise from the carved background. The first on the upper right side is of half circle with the silhouette of a flying bird touching the circle with its beak. The half-circle and bird are black and are surrounded by an oval of vestiges of yellow ink. A lower left design area features a small flock of four black-inked birds in flight, facing the design’s right, also surrounded by vestiges of yellow ink. There are small areas with remaining black ink, perhaps small splatters. 

Japanese

Woodblock for an Illustration in Bijutsu Kogei Hiinakata (Design Book for Fine Art Craft): Color Block (recto): Details of the Background for Inside of an Inkstone Box by Maeda Kosetsu / Color Block (verso): Details for an Ash Tray and Flower Vase, 1898-1899

Carved wood with remains of ink, 24 x 38 cm (9 7/16 x 14 15/16 in.)

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Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.