Crows on Plum Branch

Crows on Plum Branch

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Kawanabe Kyōsai

In the 1880s, Kyosai’s ink paintings of black crows became famous, motivating him to complete many versions. Kyosai’s association with the birds became so widespread that he began using seals related to crows, like the one on this print that reads “flying over many lands.” Crows were an auspicious image and often displayed or given for celebratory events like the new year. This hanging scroll print (kakemono-e), based on one of Kyosai’s hanging scroll paintings, faithfully replicates ink brushstrokes with painterly lines. This visual effect demonstrates the impressive skill of the block carver and printer, who successfully create the illusion of various shades of black sumi ink.
Artist
Kawanabe Kyōsai
(Japanese, 1831 - 1889)
Title
Crows on Plum Branch
Date
ca. 1885
Medium
Color woodcut
Dimensions
241 x 255 mm Overall
Credit
Bequest of John H. Van Vleck
Accession No.
1980.712
Classification
Prints
Geography
Japan

Related

Collection of Mrs. J. Harriot Goodell (New Haven, CT); 1916, purchased by Edward Burr Van Vleck (Madison, WI); 1943, passed through inheritance to Edward’s son, John H. Van Vleck (Madison, WI); 9 January 1980, bequeathed by John H. Van Vleck to the Elvehjem Museum of Art [now called Chazen Museum of Art]

  • Mueller, Laura. "Competition and Collaboration: Japanese Prints of the Utagawa School." Leiden, The Netherlands: Hotei Publishing, 2007. p. 208, no. 201
  • Osumi, Takeshige, ed. "Edward Burr Van Vleck Collection Ukiyo-e Masterpieces Exhibition." Tokyo: Bun You Associates, 1999.
  • Roberts, Laurance P. "A Dictionary of Japanese Artists: Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Prints, Lacquer." Tokyo; New York: Weatherhill, 1986. p. 100
  • Elvehjem Museum of Art. "The Edward Burr Van Vleck Collection of Japanese Prints." Madison: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 1990. p. 20

  • Japanese Masterworks: Woodblock Prints from the Chazen Museum of Art Collection: Chazen Museum of Art, 5/6/2016–8/14/2016
  • Competition and Collaboration: Japanese Prints of the Utagawa School: Chazen Museum of Art, 11/3/2007–1/6/2008
  • Edward Burr Van Vleck Collection: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 10/13/1999–6/30/2000
  • Calm Lives, Exuberant Pleasures : Outstanding Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Van Vleck Collection: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 3/31/1984–4/15/1984

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