Museums (395-0-1)

Topic

Japanese Woodblock Prints: From 1660 to the Presen

Instructors

Janice Katz

Meeting Info

Meets in Non-General PurposeRm: Thurs 2:00PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

The production of commercial prints in Japan was the result of a popular revolution in Japanese society. Japan's great premodern cities, especially Edo (now Tokyo), were home to an increasingly prosperous, sophisticated, and literate urban dweller who would purchase images of their favorite celebrities of the day or the latest illustrated novel. This class will explore the birth of the commercial Japanese print, and its many incarnations leading to the designs of contemporary artists. During our discussions we will consider the changing role of the artist and issues of use and reception, including the part the West played in maintaining the popularity of Japanese prints into the 20th century.

Along with art historical analysis and a study of the commercial context of the prints, issues of connoisseurship will feature strongly in this class taught from a curatorial point of view. As this class will be conducted in the Art Institute's Japanese print storage area, it is a rare opportunity to view works of art up close and unframed, essential for an understanding of printing techniques and collecting practices.

All classes are taught on site at the Art Institute of Chicago

Class Attributes

SoC Humanities and Fine Arts Distro
SoC Individual and Social Behavior Distro