Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries

Esteem professionals,

Is this Japanese woodblock print of Two Exotic Birds by Kitao Masayoshi real or a reprint?

The outline of the feathers is in relief (raised).

Thank you for your assistance! Happy 2023!

If I compare it to one at the Boston MFA (link below), I see enough differences that lead me to believe that it is not from the same blocks. However, the MFA states: Silver Pheasants (Hakkan), reprinted from the album Kaihaku raikin zui (A Compendium of Pictures of Birds Imported from Overseas). I'm not sure that the MFA one is an original, but it was printed circa 1790.

There is another print at the MET (link immediately below) that is attributed to a different artist (Kuwagata Keisai) dated 1789. Note that this one doesn't have the script and seal on the right.

Which do you think is the original? Who copied whom?

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/60001091

Cheers,
Stan


URL Title :Boston MFA - Silver Pheasants

Stan,

Thank you for your kind response!

I found the exact copy of my print here from Ca. 1800 - https://ukiyo-e.org/image/artelino/28193g1

I am not sure if mine is a later reproduction of that one because mine has raised edges along the tail feathers. Did Japanese woodblock prints use raised (relief) edges during that time period?

Jeff

Stan,

Thank you for your comment! Here is my exact version. Circa 1800. https://ukiyo-e.org/image/artelino/28193g1

I do not know if some Japanese woodblocks had relief (raised) edges during that period. Do you know if they did?

Jeff

Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries |