The world of the Japanese print was a thoroughly modern one—even by today’s standards. Encompassing advertisements, playbills, keepsakes, travel souvenirs, maps, calendars, news sources, and even “racy” pinups, Japanese woodblock prints provide a captivating and beautiful glimpse into more than 400 years of daily life, history, and culture.
This talk, presented by Bradley Bailey, the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Curator of Asian Art, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), offers an educational and entertaining exploration of one of the world’s most influential and popular forms of art.
FREE to the public with admission to the museum.
Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Meet in the American General Conference Room on the Mezzanine Level of the Beck Building.
Click the button below to visit MFAH’s webpage for more information and parking.
Image 1: Ito Shinsui, Clock and Beauty, no. IV (Tokei to bijin, IV), 1964, woodblock print on Japanese paper, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Museum purchase funded by Nanako and Dale Tingleaf. © Ito Shinsui
Image 2: Katsushika Hokusai, Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji: Umezawa Hamlet-Fields in Sagami Province, 1830–31, color woodblock print on kozo paper, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Museum purchase funded by Ms. Miwa S. Sakashita and Dr. John R. Stroehlein.
Image 3: Utagawa Kunisada, Night Scene with Girls and Lanterns, mid-19th century, woodblock print triptych, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, gift of Peter C. Knudtzon.