Perspectives on the Japanese collection of the library of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs
Until October 7
Musée des Arts Décoratifs
107 rue de Rivoli – 75001 Paris
On the occasion of Asian Spring 2022, twenty-two illustrated books, two triptychs and sixteen prints are currently on display in the library of the Museum of Decorative Arts. Five showcases retracing the history of the Japanese collection show works by artists from different eras and in a variety of styles.
Japanese illustrated books in the library collections
The first works entered into the collections were intended to serve as models for the artists and artisans frequenting the library. Some of them are books illustrated by Hokusaï, the great master of Japanese prints. In his work entitled La manga, he offers his students a set of drawings presenting various motifs: everyday objects, tools, animals, people… In the 5th volume, it shows how to compose a landscape with architectural elements such as the vermilion torii present at the entrance to Shinto shrines. (…)
Japanese prints in the Maciet iconographic collection
Between 1892 and 1903 Jules Maciet provided several thousand images from Japanese illustrated books. He sticks them in the albums of the “Tissues” series. East. Japan”, “Fabrics. Embroidery. Japan”, “Fans. East”… Following the opening of Japan, Japanese prints enjoyed great success with Western artists. In the iconographic collection have been brought together to serve as their source of inspiration many prints signed by artists members of the Utagawa school (歌川派), dominant in the last years of the Edo period until the end from the Meiji era.