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

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This rectangular Japanese woodblock is made of carved, light colored wood with remains of black ink. The images are silhouetted, carved in the light wood while the black ink surrounds the designs. It depicts the image of a large plain square to our left with spots of residual ink to our left and in the center. Leaves extend from the top of the plain square and more foliage is carved to our right. The reverse of the woodblock depicts the design for an incense burner to our left and a vase to our right. The incense burner is delineated by a long rectangle with an amorphous shape in the middle of the burner. The vase features a semi-wide mouth with a long slender neck and a wide body. There is a circular protrusion near the base of the vase to our right.

Japanese

Woodblock for an Illustration in Bijutsu Kogei Hiinakata (Design Book for Fine Art Craft): Color Block (recto): Details for Flower Vase and Incense Burner by Rokkaku Shisui / Color Block (verso): Details for Inside of Box with Leaves, 1898-1899

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

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Commentary

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.