Japanese
Woodblock for an Illustration in Bijutsu Kogei Hiinakata (Design Book for Fine Art Craft): Key Block (recto): Design for Plum Blossoms / Uncut (Verso), 1898-1899
Carved wood with remains of ink, 24 x 38 cm (9 7/16 x 14 15/16 in.)
This is a horizontal, rectangular woodblock with a raised border. The wood has an uneven surface and color. It is primarily dark brown with areas of a lighter brown above and below the carved area. There are some cracks and crazing in the wood, but the carvings are intact. On the bottom, from about center over to our right, is a framed section. Within this section, a tree stands on the ground to our right. Leaves are scattered around the base of the tree. The tree trunk leans slightly to our right, but its branches extend to our left. The branches are covered with plum blossoms, with five petals and a distinct center. A few leaves on the ground, and a few branches with blossoms are beyond the framed area. The reverse side of the woodblock is uncut.
Chinese Room
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.