Essentials of Painting (Ehon hitsuyō)

Illustrations by Nakaji Sadatoshi Japanese

Preface by Kishi Tengaku Japanese

1751

Not on view

According to its preface, this manual for aspiring painters contains illustrations of all the essential subjects, including historical figures, flowers, birds, and landscapes. Each monochrome, printed image is titled, and many feature an adjacent poem that provides insight into how to paint the subject in question—a format that highlights the inseparability of poetry and painting.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

中路定年著岸天岳序　『畫本必用』
Title: Essentials of Painting (Ehon hitsuyō)
Artist: Illustrations by Nakaji Sadatoshi (Japanese, active 1716–36)
Artist: Preface by Kishi Tengaku (Japanese, 1814–1877)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: 1751
Culture: Japan
Medium: Woodblock-printed book; ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 10 1/4 × 7 1/16 in. (26 × 18 cm)
Classification: Illustrated Books
Credit Line: Purchase, Mary and James G. Wallach Foundation Gift, 2013
Object Number: 2013.796
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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